The AFL will restart this year’s season next month after being suspended due to the pandemic.
AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan confirmed the competition will restart on June 11, after extensive consultation with state and federal governments to develop a model to return to play.
As part of the plan, all players and staff members will be tested for COVID-19. The league will also release schedules for games in four to six week blocks to allow for flexibility.
“Today is a significant step to getting footy back for everyone. For our fans, clubs, players, coaches, officials and staff, as well as our broadcast and corporate partners,” McLachlan says.
“We know as the situation continues to evolve, we have to remain agile and flexible to be able to adapt where necessary. We need to ensure and continue to prioritise the health and welfare of everyone, and importantly we must not place any burden on the public health system."
This year’s season was suspended after nation-wide lockdowns came into effect to slow the spread of coronavirus, impacting the games broadcast partners’ Seven’s and Foxtel, which were left with no games to play. Seven, Foxtel and Telstra have a $2.5 billion rights deal for the games, which is set to expire in 2022.
Seven has welcomed the announcement from the AFL this afternoon.
“We can’t wait to bring the footy back to the fans,” says Seven CEO James Warburton.
“Seven has been a supportive partner to the AFL to get the season going and provided a range of options for not only 2020 but certainty until the end of 2024.”
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