Games postponed by six City COVID-19 cases

Anna Harrington |

Two FFA Cup quarter-finals and an A-League men match have been postponed due to COVID-19.
Two FFA Cup quarter-finals and an A-League men match have been postponed due to COVID-19.

Six players at A-League Men champions Melbourne City have tested positive for COVID-19, prompting the postponement of one league match and two FFA Cup games.

Rapid antigen tests picked up the six cases on Tuesday morning and subsequent PCR tests confirmed the results.

City’s FFA Cup quarter-final against Wellington on Wednesday night was postponed along with their A-League Men away game against Brisbane Roar on December 27.

In addition, Melbourne Victory’s FFA Cup round of 16 trip to face Gold Coast Knights was postponed — after Victory players were potentially exposed to coronavirus in Saturday’s Melbourne derby against City.

“The A-Leagues can confirm that six players from Melbourne City FC’s A-League Men’s football department have tested positive for COVID-19 and are currently in isolation and all report to be currently feeling well,” the A-Leagues said in a statement.

“The case involves double-vaccinated individuals who tested positive to a PCR test on 21 December enacted after their daily rapid tests earlier in the day.

“As a result of the number of cases, the A-Leagues have determined that Melbourne City’s scheduled round six away match against Brisbane Roar has been postponed.

“The club’s primary concern is for the health and safety of all players, staff and their families. All positive cases and those close to them are adhering to relevant state government health directives.”

City join Newcastle, Sydney FC, Western United, Perth Glory and Macarthur in having confirmed COVID-19 cases over the past three weeks.

Wellington on Wednesday morning had announced they had no cases or players considered close or casual contacts.

Victory players and staff have all tested negative since the derby, as part of their cross-border travel requirements for their planned trip to the Gold Coast for Wednesday’s now postponed match.

The ALM club did not want to take the risk of their squad travelling to Queensland for the FFA Cup fixture and potentially facing Christmas in hotel quarantine.

A COVID-19 case at the Glory last week had resulted in the club’s entire travelling party being considered close contacts and thrown into hotel quarantine in Brisbane for two weeks, due to Queensland’s strict rules.

On Wednesday, the Glory confirmed their travelling party, bar the positive case, would be able to take a charter flight to Perth on Thursday and complete the remaining seven days of their quarantine period at home, after an agreement was struck with Queensland Health and WA Health.

The player who tested positive is required to remain in Brisbane to complete his 14-day isolation period in hard quarantine.

Perth are expected to return to play in January, dependent on their conditioning.

Victory are next in action against Western United, who had three COVID-19 cases last week, on Boxing Day.

AAP