Following the change in COVID-19 Alert Levels, placing the Auckland region at Alert Level 3 and the rest of the country at Alert Level 2, New Zealand Football can confirm the arrangements put in place for finishing the current ISPS Handa Men’s Premiership season: 

• The Semi-Finals, currently scheduled for 6^th/7^th March, and Final, currently scheduled for 14^th March, will be delayed by one week respectively, moving the Semi-Finals to 13^th/14^th March and the Final to Sunday 21^st March. 

• The postponed league game, scheduled to be played yesterday (28^th February) between Hawke’s Bay United v Eastern Suburbs AFC, will be rescheduled to a midweek fixture played between 8^th and 12^th March. New Zealand Football are in discussions with both clubs to agree a suitable time for all parties. 

• In the event that the Alert Level 3 restrictions in the Auckland region are extended, impacting on the rescheduled Hawke’s Bay United v Eastern Suburbs AFC game, the remaining league match will be cancelled and classed as a draw with both clubs sharing the points. In this situation, the final top four teams making the Semi-Finals would be Auckland City FC, Team Wellington, Hamilton Wanderers and Waitakere United. 

• If the Alert Level 3 restrictions in the Auckland region are further extended, impacting on the Semi-Finals, the competition will proceed to a straight Final between the top two clubs at the end of the league season, Auckland City FC and Team Wellington, on Sunday 21^st March. 

The rescheduling of fixtures is likely to have an impact on the All Stars games taking place on 17^th March, as announced on 26^th February. New Zealand Football are currently working with stakeholders to review options available to reschedule for a later date.

Article added: Monday 01 March 2021