Football Federation Australia (FFA) has announced that today’s Hyundai A-League fixture between Central Coast Mariners and Adelaide United at Central Coast Stadium, Gosford, will kick off at 7pm AEDT (6.30pm ACDT), not 3pm as previously scheduled.
The delay is a result of weather conditions in Gosford that pose a risk to player welfare.
The current forecast Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) reading will not be below the limit of 28 until after 6pm.
Head of Hyundai A-League Damien de Bohun said there was no option but to delay the match.
“Our policy determines that we consider drinks breaks and delayed kick offs once the WBGT reaches 28,” said de Bohun.
“The current forecast for Gosford shows the reading won’t fall below 28 until after 6pm. In these circumstances, we’ve taken the decision to kick off at 7pm to give everyone certainty.
“We regret the inconvenience a late change will cause, but this is beyond our control.”
The match between Western Sydney Wanderers and Wellington Phoenix at Pirtek Stadium, Parramatta, will kick off today as scheduled at 5 PM AEDT. The forecast WBGT readings show a level below 28 at kick off in Parramatta.
WBGT is a measure of the heat stress in direct sunlight, which takes into account temperature, humidity, wind speed, sun angle and cloud cover.
