Former Socceroo Luke Wilkshire has urged sporting leaders to put public health ahead of financial concerns and suspend all competition, including at the elite level.
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Both the AFL and NRL entered uncharted territory on Thursday night, with matches played in front of empty stadiums. This weekend's A-League fixtures are also being played behind closed doors.
Wilkshire, however, feels it would be better to halt the competitions completely until the threat of coronavirus dies down.
"In my personal opinion, if you look at the drastic measures everywhere else in the world has taken to knock it on the head, it looks like we want it to linger around for months on end," Wilkshire said. "People and sport will suffer throughout that time.
"It's understandable, the organisations are reliant on TV money. If they don't play they won't get that money.
"For the AFL and NRL, a six-month ban for supporters is a massive blow. If they could shut down for a couple of weeks to stop this completely, it could be a lot easier to handle."
The Wollongong Wolves coach spent much of his career living and playing overseas, including almost a decade in Russia.
With family based in Europe, Wilkshire has seen first hand how dangerous COVID-19 can be and how other countries have responded.
"I don't think the PM is taking it as serious as he should be. Everything else around the world is closing down, people are in lock down. I don't think we should be so naive to think we're different. We do have it here in Australia as well."
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