The Socceroos and Matildas will have to wear tracking devices as part of Football Australia’s cunning plan to get state and federal governments to approve international home games this year, despite a recent spike in COVID-19 cases.
Next week the Socceroos were supposed to face China in a World Cup qualifier match at home, but the nation’s mandatory 14-day quarantine measures meant the match was moved to Doha. However, Football Australia is determined to bring the remaining home qualifiers back to Australia and, to do so, has proposed some strict protocols for its national teams to follow.
According to the Sydney Morning Herald, all players will be required to wear Kinexon SafeZone GPS tracking devices so that their movements can be tracked, facilitates contact tracing, and so they can be alerted if they are in an unsafe distance from them. others.
Similar devices have been used in the NFL and NBA to help players and staff navigate training and matches during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The FA also offered to put up nets to prevent stray balls from the field from entering and making contact with the crowd.
The Socceroos will play in Oman in October and Saudi Arabia in November in New South Wales and with vaccination rates on the rise and the state government promising more freedom once a certain portion of the population is fully vaccinated, there is hope. that those matches can still statfinden.
The Matildas will play friendlies in Australia in October, as will the world champions in the United States in November in a two-game showdown.
“We will continue to work with the federal and state governments on hosting matches in Australia for both Socceroos and Matildas in the coming months, including scheduled and scheduled matches for October and November,” said Football Australia chief James Johnson.
“The story highlights that playing at home offers a distinct advantage for the Socceroos when it comes to qualifying for the FIFA World Cup, a four-year global event that unites the world and involves millions of Australians.
“As we had to put plans in place to play our scheduled home match against China outside Australia on September 2 to keep the ambitions of our players, coaches, staff and nation moving to qualify for the fifth consecutive FIFA World Cup, we are equally committed to continuing the dialogue with governments to bring the Socceroos and Matildas home this year “.
As part of the FA’s proposal, only vaccinated Socceroos and Matildas players and staff will be able to return to Australia for matches and rigorous testing and tracking of their movements will occur two weeks prior to their arrival.
The Socceroos have not played in Australia for nearly two years and, with a good record at home, the success of their World Cup qualification campaign is threatened by moving those matches overseas.
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