New Zealand Football chief executive Andrew Pragnell says the governing body is standing in solidarity with the Wellington Phoenix, but declined to offer any insight as to how the A-League club is responding to the coronavirus pandemic.
The Phoenix have been largely silent for the past three weeks, but finally provided an update of their own on Friday, in the form of an email to members from general manager David Dome, which Stuff has obtained a copy of.
The email did not inform members that the Phoenix have applied for and received the government's wage subsidy – a total of $324,732 dollars for 47 employees, including their 22 contracted players, which will help them continue to make payments at a time when most A-League clubs have stopped.
It did say, however, that they are "ready to resume as soon as possible," should Football Federation Australia decide to restart the 2019-20 season, which was put on hold on March 24, "subject to whether travel restrictions and other factors are still in place at the time".
"All but two of our squad [Ulises Dávila and Gary Hooper] are in New Zealand or Australia, which in theory makes it easy for us to get back up and running relatively quickly.
It did say, however, that they are "ready to resume as soon as possible," should Football Federation Australia decide to restart the 2019-20 season, which was put on hold on March 24, "subject to whether travel restrictions and other factors are still in place at the time".
"All but two of our squad [Ulises Dávila and Gary Hooper] are in New Zealand or Australia, which in theory makes it easy for us to get back up and running relatively quickly.
"We still feel that there's unfinished business this season and we were in top form when the league went into suspension – we want to take on all those teams again."
The Warriors are in a similar position to the Phoenix, but are closer to being back in action, after the NRL announced on Thursday that it was looking to start up again on May 28.
Warriors boss Cameron George has said one of the biggest obstacles in front of them is being granted permission to enter Australia, where they will need to be based, at least initially, and the same would go for the Phoenix.
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