A-League Fixtures to be Played in Empty Stadiums

Image via nationalpremierleagues.com.au

The FFA have today confirmed that all A-League, W-League and NPL fixtures across Australia will be played, but in empty confines.

This decision follows the news that the government that anyone travelling into Australia must go through a 14-day self-exclusion period to avoid spreading the coronavirus, also known as COVID-19.

Following their 3-0 loss at the weekend, the struggling Melbourne Victory will not be playing in the next two matches of the A-League season. As they are returning from Wellington, New Zealand, they must enter the self-exclusion program.

As will the Phoenix, who have been instructed to play all remaining A-League fixtures in Australia.

The W-League Grand Final, set to be played between Sydney FC and Melbourne City, will be played behind closed doors with no fans admitted and only players, coaches and registered officials and ground staff allowed entry on the day.

A date has not yet been made official for the Grand Final, leaving open the possibility for postponement of the game should the current situation worsen.

All NPL and state league FFA Cup fixtures have been given the green light to go ahead, but with strict safety measures implemented by the FFA in order to reduce the chances of people contracting COVID-19.

This will perhaps have the biggest impact on the game, particularly at the community level.

Soccer at the community level is dependent on its fans and a reliable source of income on game days through ticket sales, food, drink and other means.

Some may feel the more sensible decision for NPL and state league FFA Cup fixtures would be to temporarily postpone, but that’s an argument for another time.

FFA CEO James Johnson had this to say in a press conference earlier today.

“The scale of football means that we have a key role to play in maintaining the health and well-being of Australians, as well as their families and the wider community. We are doing so by allowing people to play, in line with the current Government position but with additional guidance to further improve social distancing at football fields around the country.”

“We have been working closely with our stakeholders, Government health officials and our own chief medical officer to develop our policies for the whole of the game following the COVID-19 outbreak. The situation is subject to constant change, and further measures may be necessary in the future.”

“The health and safety of all members of the football community, including players, coaches, referees, volunteers, administrators and fans continues to be of paramount importance. We will continue to work with the Government and seek advice as the situation changes.”

The half an hour long press conference can be found at the Twitter link above.

The ever-evolving virus has resulted in many decisions such as this eventually overturned in favour of complete postponement. It happened in the Serie A and La Liga in the past few weeks.

Games were allowed to go ahead in empty stadiums, but eventually the remaining fixtures were postponed until further notice.

More recently, the Premier League reluctantly followed suit after news surfaced that Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta and Chelsea starlet Callum Hudson-Odoi tested positive for COVID-19.

Juventus defender Daniele Rugani and Valencia centre-half Ezequiel Garay are two other recent cases of players who have tested positive following the postponement of their respective domestic competitions.

Do you feel the A-League will eventually bite the bullet too? Or are they doing the right thing by trying to get matches played?

Let us know on Twitter @Soccersceneau and get involved in the discussion. Furthermore, don’t forget to subscribe to our weekly newsletter for more news just like this.

But above all else, stay safe during these tough times.

 

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Football NNSW Releases Infrastructure Strategies as Participation Growth Outpaces Facilities

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Northern NSW Football has unveiled bespoke infrastructure strategies for each of its seven member zones, providing an evidence-based roadmap for facility investment across the region as continued participation growth exposes critical gaps in the sporting infrastructure available to support it.

The Member Zone Infrastructure Strategies draw on data across participation rates, population growth and existing facility conditions to map what each zone has, what it needs and where investment will have the greatest impact. Identified gaps include drainage, lighting and inclusive changerooms – the foundational infrastructure that determines whether facilities are functional, safe and accessible year-round.

NNSWF Government Relations Manager Gary Fisher said the strategies represented a significant step toward smarter, more targeted investment across the region.

“By bringing together key data on participation, population growth and existing infrastructure, these strategies give us a stronger understanding of where the needs are greatest and where investment will have the most impact,” Fisher said. “Ultimately we want to create more inclusive and accessible environments for everyone involved in the game while building stronger, more sustainable clubs and communities for the future.”

Northern NSW Football has previously noted that participation across the region is at record levels and still rising, with women’s and girls’ football a significant driver of that growth. Infrastructure that was built for a smaller and less diverse participation base is increasingly unable to meet current demand, let alone accommodate future growth.

The strategies are also designed to strengthen NNSWF’s alignment with government funding priorities, providing the evidence base needed to support grant applications and long-term facility planning across all seven zones.

Football Victoria launches inaugural Club State Championships amid World Cup fever

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Image Credit: One-Nil Media

Football Victoria (FV) has unveiled the inaugural Victorian Club State Championships, a new statewide tournament set to transform the winter football calendar and provide a major platform for emerging talent across the state.

Taking place from July 2–5 at The Home of The Matildas, the event will coincide with the FIFA World Cup 2026 period. This alignment a strategic move aimed at capitalising on heightened global football engagement.

The tournament will feature both boys’ and girls’ teams from U9 through to U17 age groups, bringing together clubs from Advanced and Community competitions in a bid to crown Victoria’s best-performing clubs across each division.

A statewide stage for club football

In what shapes as a major addition to the Victorian football landscape, the championships are designed to create a high-level tournament environment outside regular league competition. This offering players valuable exposure to knockout football, elevated match intensity and cross-league competition.

Football Victoria described the event as a celebration of the “strength, depth and talent” within the state’s football ecosystem, while also positioning it as a unique opportunity for clubs to test themselves against opponents they would not typically face throughout the season.

The decision to host the competition at The Home of The Matildas further reinforces FV’s intention to elevate the stature of the event, utilising one of Australia’s premier football facilities as the centrepiece of the tournament.

Creating a World Cup atmosphere in Victoria

FV believes the timing of the championships, running during the FIFA World Cup, will help generate a carnival-like atmosphere around the game at grassroots and pathway level.

Each participating team will play a minimum of four matches, with assistant referees appointed from U12 onwards. Disciplinary outcomes will also carry into regular season records, adding further competitive weight to the tournament structure.

Importantly, academy-only and social teams will not be eligible, reinforcing the event’s focus on recognised club pathways and structured competition.

A new piece in Football Victoria’s long-term strategy

The launch of the Victorian Club State Championships comes as Football Victoria continues to reshape and modernise its competition structures across both elite and community football, with the governing body placing greater emphasis on player development, competitive alignment and statewide engagement initiatives.

For clubs, the tournament presents not only the opportunity to compete for silverware, but also a rare chance to benchmark themselves against the broader Victorian football landscape during one of the sport’s biggest global moments.

With registrations now open, the Victorian Club State Championships could quickly become one of the most anticipated additions to the state football calendar.

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