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Perth Glory forced to take their FFA Cup play-off clash with Melbourne Victory to neutral venue

Nick TaylorThe West Australian
Liam Reddy and Perth Glory have been foreced onto the road for their FFA Cup clash.
Camera IconLiam Reddy and Perth Glory have been foreced onto the road for their FFA Cup clash. Credit: Paul Kane/Getty Images

Perth Glory have lost the battle to keep their long delayed FFA Cup qualifying play-off match against Melbourne Victory at home.

There were calls for Glory to be handed a forfeit win with club owner Tony Sage vowing to refuse to play the game away from Dorrien Gardens.

But the forfeit calls and Sage’s threat fell on deaf ears and FA have forced Glory to play at a neutral venue, Marden Sports Complex in Adelaide on November 24.

The match was due to have been played in Perth almost four moths ago but the competition was thrown into chaos because of COVID-19 border closures.

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It remains a Glory “home” tie but they have lost any real chance of making a profit and of having a crowd advantage.

It comes four days after Glory open their A-League season with a home match against Adelaide United and just two days before the first of a rugged 33-day, five game road-trip against Western United.

The winner will face NPLSA side Adelaide City in the Round of 32 on a date to be confirmed.

Glory chief executive Tony Pignata said the club was disappointed to lose the home game.

“Unfortunately the border restrictions currently in place have made it effectively impossible for this game to be played here in WA,” Pignata said.

“Therefore, in order to uphold the integrity of the competition, we have agreed to play against Melbourne Victory on neutral territory in Adelaide.

“This is obviously very disappointing for everyone associated with Perth Glory, but we hope that our members and fans will understand that the club’s hand has been forced by circumstances beyond its control.”

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