FFA wants Olympic men’s football to be under-24 tournament in Tokyo

• With the Olympics postponed till 2021, Football Federation Australia (FFA) wants the men’s competitors to be for under-24s.

Football Federation Australia (FFA) chief govt James Johnson wants FIFA to take into account making men’s football on the Tokyo Olympics an under-24 tournament.

Amid rising stress and uncertainty, the Games had been pushed again till 2021 due to the coronavirus pandemic.

It majorly impacts men’s football, with groups often made up of under-23 gamers, however a number of athletes are probably to be affected by the postponement.

FFA CEO Johnson stated he wished consideration from FIFA for that to be modified for the Tokyo Olympics.

“Men’s football on the Olympics is an under-23 tournament however we wish to open up dialogue with FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation [AFC] to take into account adjusting the men’s football tournament in order that it turns into an under-24 tournament for the Tokyo Olympic Games,” he stated in a press release on Thursday.

“This would make sure the gamers who helped their nation qualify for the Games this 12 months however would possibly in any other case be ineligible for the tournament subsequent 12 months due to age restrictions, have a chance to fulfil their desires of representing their nation and turning into Olympians.”

Australia’s girls’s workforce additionally certified for the Olympics, which can be held no later than the northern summer season of 2021.

“Human lives take priority over every little thing, together with the staging of the Games.” https://t.co/JyPhkCXnwE

— Westfield Matildas (@TheMatildas) March 25, 2020

Johnson backed the choice to postpone the Games, saying: “Our football neighborhood are rightly happy with the efforts and achievements of the Matildas and the under-23 men’s nationwide football workforce to qualify for Tokyo.

“We should nevertheless make sure the well being and wellbeing of the athletes, officers, volunteers, and followers is prioritised. We are glad that the IOC, AOC and all events concerned have reached this resolution.

“When the dates of the possibly rescheduled Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games are recognized, FFA will work with its nationwide groups unit and the AOC to plan the very best preparations for each side.”

Published 26 Mar 2020, 06:02 IST