A league and australian football news live coronavirus threatens socceroos world cup qualifiers
Here's a summary of the latest news on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Socceroos' World Cup qualifiers and other football leagues in Australia:
Socceroos World Cup Qualifiers:
- The Socceroos' World Cup qualifiers have been severely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, with several matches postponed or rescheduled.
- The Australian national team was set to play a crucial match against Vietnam on March 26, but it was postponed due to the pandemic.
- The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has announced that the qualifiers will be suspended until further notice.
- The Socceroos are currently in second place in Group B, with 13 points from six matches. They need to win their remaining matches to secure a spot in the World Cup.
A-League:
- The A-League has been suspended indefinitely due to the pandemic.
- The league was in its 12th round when the suspension was announced.
- The A-League is considering a variety of options to complete the season, including playing behind closed doors or using a neutral venue.
- The league has also announced that it will provide financial support to its clubs during the suspension.
Australian Football League (AFL):
- The AFL has announced that it will suspend its season for at least six weeks due to the pandemic.
- The league was in its 10th round when the suspension was announced.
- The AFL has also announced that it will provide financial support to its clubs during the suspension.
Coronavirus cases in Australia:
- As of March 25, there have been over 1,500 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Australia.
- The Australian government has announced a range of measures to slow the spread of the virus, including social distancing measures, travel restrictions, and increased testing.
International football:
- The pandemic has also had a significant impact on international football, with several major tournaments and leagues suspended or postponed.
- The UEFA Champions League and Europa League have been suspended until further notice.
- The English Premier League has been suspended until April 30.
- The French Ligue 1 and Spanish La Liga have also been suspended.
Player and coach reactions:
- Socceroos coach Graham Arnold has expressed his disappointment at the postponement of the World Cup qualifiers, but understands the need to prioritize public health.
- A-League players have expressed their frustration at the suspension of the league, but are supportive of the decision to prioritize public health.
- Australian football stars such as Tim Cahill and Mark Viduka have also expressed their concerns about the impact of the pandemic on the sport.
Overall, the COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on Australian football, with several leagues and tournaments suspended or postponed. The Socceroos' World Cup qualifiers are also at risk of being delayed or cancelled, which could have significant implications for the team's chances of qualifying for the tournament.