Phoenix-Newcastle Jets ALM game in doubt

George Clarke | January 7, 2022

Wellington Phoenix’s clash with the Newcastle Jets is expected to become the latest A-League Men fixture to be postponed as a result of COVID-19.

The sides were expected to meet at Kogarah Oval on Saturday as part of a double header with Sydney FC and Perth Glory’s A-League Women’s sides.

But the Phoenix-Jets fixture is now in serious doubt with Wellington believed to have surpassed the A-League’s postponement threshold.

Under A-League rules games can be postponed if five players test positive, but at least seven Wellington players are understood to have contracted COVID-19.

Newcastle cancelled their pre-match press conference with coach Arthur Papas on Friday. 

The postponement will be particularly damaging for the Jets, who would not have played for the best part of a month when they meet the Central Coast Mariners on 15 January.

Newcastle’s last game was a 2-1 loss to Macarthur FC on December 19.

Already this weekend, Western United v Sydney FC, Western Sydney Wanderers v Perth Glory, Brisbane Roar v Central Coast Mariners and Melbourne City v Macarthur FC have been postponed.

The Wanderers were able to reschedule their clash against City for Sunday with the Melbourne Victory-Adelaide United match also expected to go ahead.

Newcastle’s A-League Women clash against Melbourne Victory has been called off.

The A-Leagues were contacted for comment but did not respond.