Coronavirus: could the 2020 AFL season be called off?

[Dry Rot]

Re: Coronavirus: could the 2020 AFL season be called off?

Posted by a Hawthorn member on BF:

Got an SMS this morning from a club board member who says the AFL is discussing the possibility/contingency if required of playing games without crowds...?

[Eastdog]

Re: Coronavirus: could the 2020 AFL season be called off?

https://www.google.com.au/amp/amp.ab...ticle/12001034

Coronavirus outbreak means decision needed on Tokyo Olympics by May, says top IOC official Dick Pound

A senior member of the International Olympic Committee says that if it proves too dangerous to hold the Olympics in Tokyo this summer because of the coronavirus outbreak, organisers are more likely to cancel it altogether than postpone or move it.

The viral outbreak that began in China two months ago has infected more than 80,000 people globally and killed over 2,700, the vast majority of them in China.

But the virus has also gained a foothold in South Korea, the Middle East and Europe, raising fears of a pandemic. Japan itself has reported four deaths.

So could the Olympics be cancelled?

If the IOC decides the Games cannot go forward as scheduled in Tokyo, "you're probably looking at a cancellation," Canadian IOC official Dick Pound said.

In the host contract for the Tokyo Olympics, part XI refers to Termination, and section 66 talks about "Termination of Contract".

The first item in a list of scenarios that would allow the IOC to terminate the contract and "withdraw the Games from the [host] city" is if:

i) the Host Country is at any time, whether before the Opening Ceremony or during the Games, in a state of war, civil disorder, boycott, embargo decreed by the international community or in a situation officially recognised as one of belligerence or if the IOC has reasonable grounds to believe, in its sole discretion, that the safety of participants in the Games would be seriously threatened or jeopardised for any reason."
The Tokyo host contract does not mention health, only safety.

However, the host contract for the Paris Olympics — to be held in 2024 — refers to the IOC having "reasonable grounds to believe that the health or safety of participants in the Games would be seriously threatened or jeopardised for any reason".

Could the Olympics be postponed?

As for the possibility of postponement, Pound said: "You just don't postpone something on the size and scale of the Olympics.

"There's so many moving parts, so many countries and different seasons, and competitive seasons, and television seasons. You can't just say, 'We'll do it in October.'"

There is also a lot of money tied up in the Olympics.

American TV network NBC is the Olympics rights broadcaster in the United States.

NBC paid $US4.38 billion ($6.64 million) in 2011 for the rights to four Summer and Winter Olympics, culminating in this year's Tokyo Games.

Could the Games be moved?

Pound, who has been on the IOC since 1978, said moving to another city seems unlikely "because there are few places in the world that could think of gearing-up facilities in that short time to put something on".

Pound said he would not favour a scattering of Olympic events to other places around the world as "you'd end up with a series of world championships".

He also said it would be extremely difficult to spread around the various sports over a 17-day period with only a few months' notice.

However, London mayoral candidate Shaun Bailey has recently said that London could "step up" and host the Games if Tokyo is unable to do so due to the coronavirus outbreak.

That was echoed by incumbent Mayor Sadiq Khan, who said that: "London, as it has done throughout history, will do its best to step up to the plate."

London has hosted the Olympics three times, most recently in 2012, with much of the infrastructure in the Stratford area of east London still in place.

Have the Olympics been moved before?

The city stepping in to host the Games is not without precedent.

In 1908, London was selected to replace Rome at short notice after the 1906 eruption of Mount Vesuvius forced the diversion of funds from the hosting of the Olympics to rebuilding the city of Naples.

London also hosted the Games in 1948, shortly after the end of World War II.

Tokyo's Governor, Yuriko Koike, reacted angrily to the comments from London, saying the discussion was "not appropriate".

The British Olympic Association also distanced itself from the comments, according to a report in the Daily Telegraph.

When will they have to decide?

Pound estimated there is a three-month window — perhaps a two-month one — to decide the fate of the Tokyo Olympics, meaning a decision could be put off until late May.

"In and around that time, I'd say folks are going to have to ask: 'Is this under sufficient control that we can be confident about going to Tokyo or not?"' he said.

Pound also cast doubt on the possibility of a one-year delay because of financial consequences for Japan and scheduling factors.

He added that the future of the Tokyo Games is largely out of the IOC's hands and depends on the course the virus takes.

As the Games draw near, he said, "a lot of things have to start happening. You've got to start ramping up your security, your food, the Olympic Village, the hotels. The media folks will be in there building their studios".

What should athletes do in the meantime?

Pound encouraged athletes to keep training. About 11,000 are expected for the Olympics, which are scheduled to open on July 24, and 4,400 are bound for the Paralympics, which open August 25.

"As far as we all know, you're going to be in Tokyo," Pound said.

"All indications are at this stage that it will be business as usual. So, keep focused on your sport and be sure that the IOC is not going to send you into a pandemic situation."

Meanwhile, Australian Sports Minister Richard Colbeck has said the country's Olympians could be pulled out of this year's Games if it means their health is at risk.

"Australian athletes are ready to make their mark at the Tokyo Olympics — but it should not be at the risk of their health and wellbeing," he told News Corp.

"We continue to work with the relevant authorities both here and overseas to ensure our athletes remain safe and protected as the response to the coronavirus continues."

[GVGjr]

Re: Coronavirus: could the 2020 AFL season be called off?

Posted by a Hawthorn member on BF:

Got an SMS this morning from a club board member who says the AFL is discussing the possibility/contingency if required of playing games without crowds...?

They would be negligent if they weren't exploring all options but we are a way off that at the moment although it's very likely to be a highly compromised season.
The scheduled game in China hasn't even been cancelled yet but if it gets to the point where crowds can't go it will be a shame but safety first will become the focus

[Mofra]

Re: Coronavirus: could the 2020 AFL season be called off?

Posted by a Hawthorn member on BF:

Got an SMS this morning from a club board member who says the AFL is discussing the possibility/contingency if required of playing games without crowds...?

Precedent exists in Europe so it's not without merit. TV rights will buttress revenue concerns.

[Eastdog]

Re: Coronavirus: could the 2020 AFL season be called off?

They would be negligent if they weren't exploring all options but we are a way off that at the moment although it's very likely to be a highly compromised season.
The scheduled game in China hasn't even been cancelled yet but if it gets to the point where crowds can't go it will be a shame but safety first will become the focus

At this stage the season going ahead as normal. No indications so far that could happen but putting the possibilities out there.

[Eastdog]

Re: Coronavirus: could the 2020 AFL season be called off?

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/coronavirus-spectre-hanging-over-domestic-sport/news-story/4120402de16b14f7a67ab786a090b8b5/news-story/2447df03127d10067316e45d8a68122a

AFL cancels St Kilda vs Port Adelaide China game for 2020 due to coronavirus, meaning a potential bye week reshuffle

March 3, 2020 11:49am
TOM MORRIS
Source: FOX SPORTS

The AFL has been forced to cancel the Shanghai game between St Kilda and Port Adelaide due to coronavirus.

Round 11’s match between the clubs was to be played in the Chinese megacity but instead will head to the Saints’ home ground of Marvel Stadium. An official announcement is expected to be made later this week.

One option being considered is to bring Port Adelaide and St Kilda’s bye forward one week to Round 11, with the teams to instead play in Round 12. Marvel Stadium is free on that round’s Sunday.

Watch every match of every round of the 2020 Toyota AFL Premiership Season LIVE & On-Demand with KAYO. New to Kayo? Get your 14-day free trial & start streaming instantly >

If the game is kept within Round 11, it would be unclear when it would be played, with matches already scheduled for Saturday night and Sunday afternoon at Marvel. Thursday night is one possibility, as both teams play on the Saturday of the previous round, while Monday night is could work because both teams currently have a bye the next week.

The AFL is having to balance multiple stakeholders to decide when to play the match, including the Chinese government and Australian broadcasters.

As of lunchtime on Tuesday, senior officials at both clubs had not been officially told the exact date and time of the rescheduled match.

There have been three matches played at Jiangwan Stadium in Shanghai, all featuring and won by Port Adelaide. Gold Coast was paid to host and lose to the Power in 2017 and 2018, while St Kilda took over that role in 2019.

But current advice from the Australian government is for all residents to avoid travelling to China, thanks to the outbreak of coronavirus.

The centre of the outbreak, the central city of Wuhan in Hubei province, is 800 kilometres from coastal Shanghai. More than 86,500 people have been infected with the disease and killed nearly 3,000; the majority of those have been in China and most in Hubei.

Australians flying in from China are currently required to spend 14 days in quarantine upon landing, which obviously would impact negatively on the Saints and Power’s ability to train after returning home.

[Eastdog]

Re: Coronavirus: could the 2020 AFL season be called off?

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/coronavirus-spectre-hanging-over-domestic-sport/news-story/4120402de16b14f7a67ab786a090b8b5

Coronavirus spectre hanging over domestic sport

WALLY MASON
SPORT EDITOR
9:04PM MARCH 2, 2020

It has wreaked havoc in international sport, now the spectre of the coronavirus outbreak is hanging over sporting fields in Australia.

The AFL’s annual foray into China, the competition match between Port Adelaide and St Kilda in Shanghai on May 31, is unlikely to go ahead. And the NRL has set up a taskforce to plan for potential disruption to the 2020 season.

Meanwhile, Australia’s nati*!onal baseball side have their path to the Tokyo Games clogged by coronavirus after a qualifying tournament was postponed.

Australia were slated to travel to Taiwan to take part in a last-chance Olympic qualifier on April 1-5. That six-team event, also involving the hosts along with China, the Netherlands, and the second and third teams from this month’s American Olympic qualifying tournament, has been moved to June 17-21.

Despite the postponement of Formula One’s Chinese Grand Prix and concerns over the Bahrain and Vietnam races, organisers of the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne on March 15 insist they are “all systems go”.

Grand Prix Corporation CEO Andrew Westacott said organisiers were “working collaboratively with health agencies and related government and emergency service organisations in addressing (the coronavirus) matter.

“We continue to monitor the situation … At this stage there is no indication of further travel bans, nor is there any indication that Formula 1 and the teams will not be arriving as usual,” he said.

The AFL has drawn up plans to switch the Shanghai match to Cazaly Stadium in Cairns, with Port chairman David Koch conceding on Monday that a trip to China is unlikely.

“There are contingency plans with the AFL and as to a final decision we have got to do it in the very near future,” Koch said. “We are taking advice from the federal government. But when you see the spread of the virus at the moment to other countries you would think that there is more of a chance of it not going ahead.”

NRL chief executive Todd Greenberg said his organisation was monitoring the situation.

“We have a small working group at the NRL, led primarily by our chief medical officer, who is in contact with the federal government and the Australian Institute of Sport,” Greenberg said.

“We are watching all those trends and if things change, we will deal with it.” The virus has already bitten deep into international sport, with dozens of events postponed, moved or cancelled. Asian and European football competitions have been affected along with Europe’s Six Nations rugby tournament.

Thailand’s MotoGP was postponed on Monday, a day after the season-opening Qatar race was cancelled.

[1eyedog]

Re: Coronavirus: could the 2020 AFL season be called off?

There's little chance of going to round 1 unfortunately. We're already banging our knees over it, we can't shake hands apparently and I can't even wipe my arse anymore.

[chef]

Re: Coronavirus: could the 2020 AFL season be called off?

Serie A to be played in empty stadiums for the next month.

[Axe Man]

Re: Coronavirus: could the 2020 AFL season be called off?

Serie A to be played in empty stadiums for the next month.

If this happens in the AFL Gold Coast and GWS are going to be at a distinct advantage having already done this for years.

[Eastdog]

Re: Coronavirus: could the 2020 AFL season be called off?

https://www.3aw.com.au/dr-peter-larkins-explains-why-coronavirus-could-cause-afl-chaos/

Dr Peter Larkins explains why coronavirus could cause AFL chaos
04/03/2020

The AFL season could be thrown into chaos should coronavirus hit the league’s playing ranks, warns Dr Peter Larkins.

While careful not to “jump at shadows”, the leading sports medico told 3AW the AFL would undoubtedly be preparing for that scenario, whether it was unlikely or not.

Dr Larkins said the government requirements attached to the illness meant an entire club could be forced off the field for a fortnight.

“The issue with the coronavirus is the requirement to quarantine anybody who’s been in contact for a 14-day period,” he explained on Sportsday.

“So a club would virtually be put in quarantine and not be able to play.”

https://www.google.com.au/amp/s/coupler.foxsports.com.au/api/v1/article/amp/afl/the-afl-is-ready-to-cancel-games-or-play-in-empty-arenas-if-forced-by-coronavirus/news-story/3fdffabeb513a4880823d7f276a82904

The AFL is ready to cancel games or play in empty arenas, if forced by coronavirus
March 05, 2020 10:05am
Fox Sports with AAP
FOX SPORTS

The AFL says it will be ready if coronavirus forces it to play games in front of empty stadiums, or cancel them entirely.

Sporting competitions all over the world have been disrupted by the disease with governments forcing mass gatherings not to take place.

Serie A and European soccer matches in Italy have been played in empty arenas because of this, while Japan placed a mass ban on major events including sport, concerts and even professional wrestling bouts.

AFL GM of clubs and broadcasting Travis Auld told the Herald Sun the league will continue to be in contact with the government and health authorities over the coming weeks.

“For the information we have at hand now, and we’re being urged by the federal government and the health authorities to go about our lives and our business as normal … as we speak today, that’s what we’re doing,” Auld said.

“We’re opening the season in two weeks’ time and hopefully in front of really big crowds on the Thursday night in our opening match. If that information changes, then our fans should feel confident and assured that we’ll be well prepared for that.

“There’s some uncertainties, and all we can do is best plan for what we know right now.”

Victorian Minister for Sport Martin Pakula wasn’t ruling out possible bans on large events in the coming months.

“They are not ruling out any potential reaction to the possibility of a more widespread coronavirus outbreak,” Pakula said.

“At the moment, there are no current plans for there to be lockouts or bans on mass gatherings, but that’s not to say that it’s impossible as we move throughout the year.

“We will take the advice from the medical experts. Chief health officers around the country will be making the call on things like that, and we will just need to adapt to those circumstances if they emerge.”

The AFL has already been forced to move the planned China game between St Kilda and Port Adelaide back to Melbourne.

The premiership season match had been slated for Sunday, May 31, in Shanghai but the outbreak of the virus forced the league to act.

Port had bought the rights to host the clash, but the cancellation means it will revert to being a Saints home game.

The clash has been moved from round 11 to round 12 and will start at 5.40pm AEST on Sunday, June 7, the day before the Queen’s Birthday public holiday. Both teams will now have a bye in round 11.

“It has become really clear that to proceed with the game in Shanghai would be placing our people at an unacceptable risk,” Auld said.

“It is evident that the coronavirus still poses a significant risk internationally and quite simply we will not compromise the health and safety of any of our clubs, supporters and AFL team members.”

Port Adelaide have been at the forefront of the AFL’s push into China, hosting Gold Coast in the inaugural game at Jiangwan Stadium in 2017. The Power played the Suns again in 2018 and defeated St Kilda there last year.


“Obviously we’re disappointed, we’d made a commitment to that game, but we were really pleased with the process,” Port chief executive Keith Thomas said.

“The AFL kept us all informed and we got the best advice.

“That it’s in Melbourne, I think is a really good idea.

“I think wrapping our arms around the local Chinese community will reverberate back in China.”

There had been speculation St Kilda would look to host the game at Moorabbin after the success of the Saints’ AFLW program at the club’s spiritual home. But capacity issues at the suburban venue ruled it out.

“There were a number of options but ultimately we felt that playing the game at Marvel on Queen’s Birthday eve was a great opportunity for Victorians to come together and really celebrate the Chinese community,” St Kilda chief executive Matt Finnis said.

“They’re hurting and we want to stand beside them.

“We think playing the game in the Melbourne CBD gives us the best opportunity to do that.”

The AFL and both clubs remain committed to resuming their push into China with a game in Shanghai next year.

[Dry Rot]

Re: Coronavirus: could the 2020 AFL season be called off?

For various reasons, our govts are not telling us the truth about all sorts of aspects about this.

I think that they want to hide the truth and not panic the horses eg it is already out of control and our health system will collapse.

My estimate is that the virus comes to an area many weeks before it is detected, and when it is, the actual infections are at least 10 – 100 times the known cases. Eg NSW has say 60 known cases, real figure is 600 – 6000+

Cannot see the AFL season proceeding to its conclusion and as we know it, I am afraid.

[Eastdog]

Re: Coronavirus: could the 2020 AFL season be called off?

https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/afl-to-brief-club-chiefs-about-coronavirus-this-week-20200308-p547yz.html

AFL to brief club chiefs about coronavirus this week
By Daniel Cherny
March 8, 2020 — 5.17pm

Coronavirus, concussion, Tasmania and the future of AFLW are all on the agenda for this week’s meeting of AFL club chiefs.

Presidents and chief executives of the 18 clubs will convene for lunch with AFL heavyweights including chief executive Gillon McLachlan and chairman Richard Goyder on Tuesday ahead of the league’s season launch function in Melbourne that night.

The Age has seen the agenda for the afternoon meeting, which makes reference to an AFL “coronavirus working group” as part of McLachlan’s scheduled presentation to clubs. The league has already shifted this year’s scheduled St Kilda-Port Adelaide game in Shanghai to Marvel Stadium after acting on the advice of health authorities.

McLachlan is on record saying that the league is well-placed to deal with any potential impact from coronavirus, which as of Sunday had claimed three Australian lives.

AFL fixture chief Travis Auld said last week that the league was taking government advice and, as things stood, there were no plans to move matches behind closed doors as has happened with recent Serie A soccer matches in Italy, where COVID-19’s toll is being heavily felt.

McLachlan is also set to brief clubs about the concussion landscape following the flashpoint late last month of Graham "Polly" Farmer’s CTE diagnosis. The spectre of a potential concussion lawsuit from past players, long-flagged by concussion campaigner Peter Jess, continues to linger, however the AFL has taken steps – including tightening protocols around its Sport Concussion Assessment Tool testing – to address concerns around head knocks.

Tasmania is also set to be discussed after last month’s report detailing the viability of a potential 19th AFL club to be based in the Apple Isle. The Tassie issue is particularly pertinent for both Hawthorn and North Melbourne, whose respective deals to play matches in Tasmania are due to expire at the end of next season.

The Hawks are also keen stakeholders in discussions surrounding the future of the national women’s competition. Hawthorn, Essendon, Port Adelaide and Sydney are the only four AFL clubs without AFLW sides, with both the Bombers and Hawks being vocal last week about their strong desire to join the competition as soon as possible.

“I know our members, supporters and key stakeholders feel equally as passionate about our entry into the AFLW competition," Essendon chief Xavier Campbell said last week.

“I can also confirm that we have recently written to AFL GM of football Steve Hocking to request clarity on the AFL’s position on the growth and future expansion of the AFLW competition and absolute certainty on our entry point.

“It is our strong desire to enter the AFLW competition by 2022, and no later than 2023. The ball is in the AFL’s court.”

The AFL is yet to publicly detail its timeline for the proposed entries into the competition of the remaining four clubs, however the league’s AFLW competition committee last year recommended an 18-team competition by 2024.

McLachlan is also scheduled to report back to clubs about the AFL’s bushfire relief fundraising efforts, provide an “officiating update,” a “financial and strategy update” and discuss the Marvel Stadium precinct redevelopment.

[Dry Rot]

Re: Coronavirus: could the 2020 AFL season be called off?

Italian first division football matches cancelled

All matches in Italy’s topflight Serie A division should be cancelled until further notice, the Italian Minister of Sport has said minutes before Serie A games were due to resume in empty stadiums.

Vincenzo Spadafora said that it made no sense to put at risk the health of players, officials, fans and others.
The news filtered through as players from Parma and Spal were already on the pitch in their clash in Parma today. They were invited to return dressing room and the game has been delayed.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2020/mar/08/coronavirus-live-updates-third-death-in-australia-as-cases-reach-more-than-70

[jeemak]

Re: Coronavirus: could the 2020 AFL season be called off?

For various reasons, our govts are not telling us the truth about all sorts of aspects about this.

I think that they want to hide the truth and not panic the horses eg it is already out of control and our health system will collapse.

My estimate is that the virus comes to an area many weeks before it is detected, and when it is, the actual infections are at least 10 – 100 times the known cases. Eg NSW has say 60 known cases, real figure is 600 – 6000+

Cannot see the AFL season proceeding to its conclusion and as we know it, I am afraid.

It's hard to say. A lot will come to light in the next fortnight, and unfortunately what we're not hearing a lot about is how the health system is actually bracing for a large outbreak, instead, what we're hearing is about how the economy is going to receive stimulus to dampen the impacts of a recession which is kind of not the actual point.

Woofers, do the research from ABC, SBS and any other credible news source that isn't Murdoch owned or on a commercial TV network (and check it against the department of health daily press issues), to understand how to help protect yourselves and your loved ones. Don't panic buy items that won't help you survive possible isolation at home (i.e. toilet paper), instead grab some additional packs of meat and frozen/canned vegetables to stick in the freezer/pantry for a few days and reach out for help during and thereafter. Speak to your doctor about what you might need to do to ensure you have enough prescription medicine for a couple of weeks if needed.

DR, my biggest concern as above is we're looking or worrying about the economic impacts of the virus rather than the health and health system impacts of the virus. The Fed has just reduced interest rates, which will only heat an already heating property market and won't actually flow through to the economy, as anyone who knows they're getting additional expendable income will only stay home in fear of the reason why they got it in the first place (I mean, what goods can you buy if international supply chains are cooked and you don't want people touching your food and drinks at cafes or restaurants before you consume them). The AFL and everyone else will see this as a signal that this is an economic issue rather than a health issue, which is just madness.