NEWCASTLE Jets are preparing to play this weekend as part of a revised A-League draw despite their game against Wellington on Sunday being postponed because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Football Federation Australia announced on Monday that the final six games of the competition will be compressed and played over a four-week period, with mid-week fixtures.
The decison to play out the season goes against most major leagues around the world which have suspended competitions.
Games will be played in empty stadiums with only participants and essential staff at the venue.
Wellington and Melbourne Victory arrive back from New Zealand on Tuesday and will be in isolation for 14 days, which is in line with the government's overseas travel edict. The Jets were to take on the third-placed Phoenix at McDonald Jones Stadium on Sunday.
Instead, they will meet one of the six other teams they are scheduled to play in the home-and-away season.
Jets chief executive Lawrie McKinna stressed that player welfare was paramount but believed FFA's plan would deliver the best outcome under extreme circumstances.
"We will not be playing Wellington at the weekend, but there is every chance we will be playing someone," McKinna said. "Our boys will be back in for training Wednesday as they would normally. By then, we will know what the schedule is for the next few weeks. We want to keep playing games.
"Doctor O'Neill Maharaj came in on Saturday morning and spoke to the squad. He outlined the correct protocols - what to do, what not to do - to minimise the risk and ensure everyone's health.
"Again we will continue to adhere to the advice and instructions from the FFA, the government and medical experts."
The Jets beat Adelaide 3-0 on Sunday night and are unbeaten in their past six games. They are six points outside the top six.
Coach Carl Robinson is happy with the progress on the park and said decisions around health and the competition are for the experts.
"I'm not a specialist in health and safety and things like that," he said after the win over Adelaide. "We abide by what we are told to do. Sometimes football becomes secondary. I think this is a situation where it does become secondary.
"The health of people and the safety and welfare of people is the most important thing. If it means cancelling it, if it means changing it, if it means putting it on hold, then I think that is the right thing to do, the sensible thing to do. And I hope everyone is safe with their families."
Top-flight football across Europe, North America and most of Asia have ground to a halt as a result of the spread of COVID-19.
McKinna said playing behind closed doors was not ideal and would impact on the club's bottom line, but completing the season was the preference.
If the season is postponed it would have ramifications with the broadcast deal.
"We want the supporters and members to be there but it has been taken out of our hands," McKinna said. "It will be like playing a friendly game. We are lucky that we are on a good run and the boys are quite buoyant."
FFA have formed a National COVID-19 Working Committee, which includes representatives from the State federations, the A-League and Professional Footballers Australia players union, to monitor the situation and addresses any developments.
McKinna travelled with the Jets squad to Adelaide and had been in regular contact with the players regarding the developments.
"The players haven't expressed any concerns," he said. "They are all in good spirits. They ate meals away from everybody else and all precautions were taken."
To lessen the risk to players and staff, the Jets have introduced procedures around travel, training and the operations of the club. Most of the focus is on their headquarters at Ray Watt Oval which is part of the University of Newcastle campus.
"The general public aren't allowed in the proximity of the players or the dressing sheds," McKinna said.
"We have shut down the skills programs and have put promotional trips and visits on hold and have modified how we are doing media. We will separate the football staff and admin staff. When the football staff are in the office, the admin staff will work from home. We are taking as many steps as possible to get through the next six games. What we plan today, may change tomorrow."
