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AFL says scheduled Shanghai game will go ahead as planned, but will closely monitor China’s coronavirus outbreak
January 29, 2020 11:05am
Ben Waterworth and AAP
FOX SPORTS
The AFL says the scheduled Shanghai game will “go ahead as planned” but continue to work closely with health authorities as concerns mount over China’s coronavirus outbreak.
Port Adelaide and St Kilda are scheduled to face each other at Shanghai’s Jiangwan Stadium on Sunday May 31, which is set to be the Power’s fourth annual game in China.
Researchers across the world are trying to develop a vaccine to stop people dying from the coronavirus, with the death toll jumping past 100 and more than 4500 confirmed cases of infection in mainland China.
The city of Wuhan, the epicentre of the illness, remains on lockdown along with other Chinese cities as China authorities scramble to stop the disease spreading. There has been 66 cases of coronavirus confirmed in Shanghai.
Reports emerged on Tuesday night there were genuine concerns the game might have to be moved. 3AW reporter Sam McClure said privately some parties were “resigned to the fact that there is little to no chance that this game will go ahead”.
However the league said it would monitor the situation and work closely with relevant authorities.
“The AFL will take advice from the Australian government and World Health Organisation regarding any safety precautions related to the coronavirus,” the AFL said in a statement to media.
“The St Kilda vs Port Adelaide match scheduled to be played in Shanghai on May 31 will go ahead as planned.
“The situation will continue to be monitored with the relevant health and safety precautions being exercised.”
The Power played the Gold Coast Suns in the first two years of the China clash before taking on the Saints last year.
St Kilda had a wretched debut China experience, losing the game by 70 points after several players and staff contracted an illness in the lead-up to the match.
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