Central Coast Mariners’ clash with Newcastle Jets at Central Coast Stadium, scheduled to be held on Saturday 15 January, has been postponed as a result of positive COVID-19 cases within the Newcastle Jets team, the A-Leagues announced on Friday.
All cases were confirmed via PCR or RAT tests on 13 and 14 January and all members of the men’s football departments are currently in isolation and undergoing further testing.
Earlier in the week, three Isuzu UTE A-League’s matches were already postponed due to ongoing challenges with COVID-19.
The round 10 fixture between Wellington Phoenix and Perth Glory will not go ahead on Saturday due to a number of positive coronavirus cases within Wellington’s football department last week.
Perth will remain in Western Australia for another week.
Friday’s showdown pitting high-flying Macathur FC against Western United has also been postponed, with both team’s returning to conditioning post-COVID impacts.
The other postponement is Sunday’s contest between Western Sydney Wanderers and league leaders Melbourne Victory at Commbank Stadium.
It comes following positive COVID cases at Victory, where three positive cases were reported on Monday and Tuesday after either RAT or PCR testing.
There have also been some time changes to two Liberty A-League games on Sunday, with Wellington Phoenix v Brisbane Roar brought forward and Newcastle Jets v Perth Glory pushed back slightly.
Melbourne City’s trip to Adelaide United and Sydney FC’s clash with Brisbane Roar are all still scheduled to take place on Saturday.
“Protocols put in place by the A-Leagues continue to be effective for screening and subsequent RAT or PCR testing in detecting the virus and ensuring immediate isolation,” the A-Leagues said a statement.
“We continue to work closely with each government health department to implement the relevant state health directives in clubs where COVID cases are present.
“Our primary concern is for the health, wellbeing and safety of all players, staff and their families. We will continue to work with all clubs to confirm a new schedule for all postponed matches as soon as possible.”
Meanwhile, next week’s Isuzu UTE A-League showdown between reigning champions Melbourne City and Central Coast has been postponed due to the FFA Cup semi-finals.
City were set to face the Mariners in a round 9 meeting on Wednesday but that will not happen as Central Coast are due to go head-to-head with Sydney FC in the FFA Cup’s final four on Tuesday.
