.png)
Perth Glory goalkeeper Liam Reddy is confident the club is doing everything it can to keep it’s players safe and healthy, as the ongoing global threat of covid-19 continues to cause sporting events to be cancelled and postponed worldwide.
Perth’s Asian Champions League match against Ulsan Hyundai scheduled for next Wednesday was officially postponed this week, with current travelling restrictions from Korea to Australia meaning the game cannot be played.
No date has been touted for a reschedule, as sporting events around the world continue to be delayed by the deadly virus.
Serie A matches in Italy have now been cancelled after initially being played behind closed doors, while the English Premier League match between Manchester City and Arsenal has been postponed after several Arsenal players were placed in isolation.
Reddy told Sports Drive on Wednesday that he had full faith the club’s hierarchy had and would make the right decisions regarding players health and safety.
“The powers at be have made the right call, they didn’t send us to Korea when their was a risk and as it proved we probably wouldn’t have got back in to the country with the travel ban now in place,” the 38 year old said.
“The club definitely has the players best interests 100%, we’re kept safe and I don’t think that will change.”
When asked about playing behind closed doors without crowds’ present, the veteran said it would be an unusual experience should it come to pass.
“It would be quite odd to be honest, it would be like a pre-season behind closed doors game,” Reddy said.
“It would be a little bit different in terms of trying to get up for the game, players enjoy playing in front of as many people as possible, it gets your adrenalin going, gets you really focussed and switched on so you would have to draw on some other things.”
“It would be a very eerie feeling, definitely.”
Reddy was separately critical of the FFA’s continued scheduling of afternoon games in the summer period, with the heat a factor in last Sunday’s game against Melbourne City.
“3 or 4 o’clock is a difficult time to play over here in the heat, we have a long summer here and it’s quite energy sapping,” he said.
“If you want to have the best product especially in Perth you have to look at 6:30 kick-offs through the summer period. That way you’re going to get better quality for longer periods.”
Reddy will play his 299th career game this Saturday against Sydney FC at Nestrata Jubilee Stadium, ahead of a likely milestone match against Western United at HBF Park Saturday week.
IMAGE: Perth Glory Twitter.