New guidelines are being created by Australia’s governing football body to allow a safe return to the season once COVID-19 restrictions are lifted.

Football Federation Australia (FFA) has urged soccer fans to do all they can to help prevent the spread of coronavirus and, in doing, limit the time players are off off the pitch.

FFA Chief Executive James Johnson publicly announced the federation’s support of the Australian government’s COVIDsafe app, and called it an important measure to help slow the spread of the disease.

“The sooner we can stop the spread of COVID-19, the sooner restrictions will be lifted, so we can get football back up and running across Australia,” Johnson said.

“The health and wellbeing of all two million football participants in this country is of paramount importance to us, we firmly believe in the importance of this community health message, and you can play a major role in this initiative.”

The FFA has been working with health officials to produce a set of guidelines to direct a safe and responsible return to football.

Community football has been suspended until at least the 31 May,