A League officials won’t move Brisbane Roar or cancel games despite the city being in a COVID lockdown

A-League officials are happy to gamble with the future of this season’s competition by keeping Brisbane Roar at home despite the COVID-19 cluster that has led to a southeast Queensland lockdown.

While Queensland teams for rival codes have been moved out of the state, the Roar are continuing to train on the Gold Coast ahead of their scheduled clash against Western Sydney Wanderers at Dolphin Stadium on Saturday night.

A Wanderers spokesman said the club was waiting on guidance from the Australian Professional Leagues, who control the A-League, but at this stage were planning to fly to Brisbane on Friday.

APL managing director Danny Townsend was confident the right decision had been made to not relocate the Roar interstate before the lockdown started at 5pm Queensland time on Monday.

Townsend said necessary transport arrangements were also on standby, and had been given clearance by the necessary authorities, should the Roar squad be required to leave Queensland during the lockdown.

“We’re going to continue to monitor the situation,” Townsend said.

“Our usual process is trying to have all options open so when the circumstances crystallise we’re able to pivot in the direction that’s most appropriate.

“We’ve never been a code that’s gone out and made a big bet on one way or the other because we’ve felt we’ve been able to work through whatever’s been thrown at us without making rash calls to move players out into another jurisdiction.”

Despite Townsend’s confidence, the A-League is still haunted by the events of last season when players from the competition’s three Victorian clubs – Melbourne City, Melbourne Victory and Western United – were left stranded on the Tullamarine Airport tarmac unable to leave the state in time before border restrictions came into place.

Brisbane, sit tight & stay strong ??

We'll provide an update on this weekend's matches as soon as we can.

In the meantime, follow the advice of health authorities and take care. pic.twitter.com/N4Z5hYqjyg

The A-League season continues on Thursday with a United-City derby at AAMI Park, as was a top-of-the-table battle between the Central Coast Mariners and Adelaide United in Gosford.

However, the W-League finals series ­- due to start on Sunday and involving the Roar, Sydney FC, the Victory and Canberra United – could be affected if the southeast Queensland lockdown extends beyond Thursday night.

The Roar are due to host a semi-final on either Sunday or Monday.

“There’s more flexibility for the men but it’s a far more complex situation for the women because a lot of them have jobs or are studying, and they can’t just be relocated,” Townsend said.

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