Overview
- The players' union Professional Footballers Australia told Football Australia on Friday that players have overwhelmingly asked for the November 17 friendly in Amman to be rescheduled or relocated because of security concerns.
- Football Australia has pushed the Socceroos squad announcement back to the weekend to give time to resolve the Jordan trip and has said players may withdraw from selection without penalty.
- Indonesia already cancelled its planned Amman friendly and recent violent incidents in Jordan, together with the wider regional attack on Riyadh airport that prompted the AFC to postpone the Asian Cup, have increased pressure to move the game.
- Some players, including Awer Mabil, privately say they would travel if selected, but the PFA engaged independent security experts and says most players prefer an alternative venue where Australian travel advice is lower risk.
- The disruption to the November fixtures has intensified uncertainty over Tony Popovic's short-term contract, which Football Australia has to resolve by Christmas to cover the rescheduled Asian Cup and the next World Cup qualifying cycle.