Phoenix set to play despite COVID-19 cases

George Clarke |

Wellington Phoenix have three COVID cases in their camp but expect to play Adelaide on Saturday.
Wellington Phoenix have three COVID cases in their camp but expect to play Adelaide on Saturday.

Wellington have become the latest A-League Men’s squad to record positive COVID-19 cases, but the Phoenix are confident their round-seven clash away to Adelaide United will be played.

Of the six A-League Men’s games scheduled to be played on the New Year’s weekend only two remain on.

The Phoenix announced on Thursday that two players and a member of staff have recorded positive cases and have been sent into isolation.

Under A-League rules fixtures can be postponed if at least five players are deemed unavailable due to COVID-19 diagnoses. 

“The remainder of the team still plans to travel to South Australia for Saturday night’s seventh round A-League match against Adelaide United,” the Phoenix said.

“The club and A-Leagues protocols continue to be effective for screening and detecting the virus and ensuring immediate isolation.”

Wellington have not played since a December 19 loss to Sydney FC and have had an FFA Cup quarter-final with Melbourne City and an A-League clash with Central Coast called off over the Christmas period. 

Aside from the Adelaide v Wellington game, Western United’s trip to face Western Sydney Wanderers on New Year’s Day is the only game presently set to take place over the weekend.

However, both clubs have been hit by positive cases with Western’s Alessandro Diamanti and Wanderers striker Tomer Hemed both using social media to confirm they had tested positive to COVID-19.

Central Coast Mariners v Macarthur FC, Newcastle Jets v Melbourne City, Sydney FC v Perth Glory and Melbourne Victory v Brisbane Roar have all been postponed over the New Year’s period. 

AAP