Football
AAP 6y

A-League, W-League games at risk ahead of record-high temperatures

A-League chiefs are anxiously watching the weekend's weather forecast in Melbourne, with a re-think needed ahead of a bumper day of football.

A forecast 41-degree day could see A-League and W-League matches shifted to later in the day, moved to different venues, or postponed.

At this stage, the FFA hopes all games can go ahead with drinks breaks, with a forecast "wet bulb globe temperature" falling marginally below their heat policy guideline on rescheduling fixtures.

If the extreme heat forces change, there's no easy fix for league chiefs, with Melbourne Victory and Melbourne City scheduled to host matches -- as well as City's W-League team.

The clubs have sounded out FFA as to the viability of the day's football ahead of decisions to be made on Wednesday.

Victory are due to host Central Coast in Geelong at 5:35pm.

That would be a no-brainer to push back into the night, except for several factors.

As a stand alone game in Victoria's second city, backed by the City of Geelong, organisers are loath to meddle with the financial partnership.

Victory don't want to reschedule.

The fixture falls during the festive period, when the Surf Coast's population swells, and a new date could add congestion to their AFC Champions League campaign.

A timeshift into the night is problematic, given the match would clash with City's game with Wellington Phoenix, kicking off at 7:50pm at AAMI Park.

The A-League makes decisions around kick-off times in consultation with host broadcasters Fox Sports and Channel Ten.

As City's game is broadcast on both channels, FFA don't want a clash that drives eyeballs away from the free-to-air match.

The curtain-raiser W-League match, which sees Sam Kerr's Perth Glory visit City, is a simpler proposition.

As it's not a broadcast match this could be moved to another time, day or pitch with more ease.

It's a mess, and one that FFA is watching closely.

"If there is a risk to player or match official safety then matches will be delayed or postponed at the discretion of the head of the A-League and W-League in consultation with both clubs and the host broadcaster," an FFA spokesperson said.

Another W-League fixture in Canberra and youth league fixtures in NSW -- where temperatures will soar above 35 on the weekend -- are also being monitored.

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