Chinese Super League: row over Australia’s World Cup play-off as Aaron Mooy defies Shanghai Port

Midfielder reportedly refusing to fly to rejoin his Chinese club, who are set to return to action as the delayed CSL season begins

Covid-19 restrictions in China could cause Mooy to miss the World Cup qualifiers if he is stuck in quarantine or lockdown

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Aaron Mooy (left) may be missing when Shanghai Port begin the delayed Chinese Super League season. Photo: Xinhua

Published: 3:43pm, 31 May 2022Updated: 8:24pm, 31 May 2022

Shanghai Port midfielder Aaron Mooy is reportedly refusing to return to the club for this week’s delayed start of the Chinese Super League season, in favour of helping Australia’s bid to reach the World Cup.

Mooy has received several requests to return to China for preseason training but has refused to do so, according to The Sydney Morning Herald.

There were fears that a Covid-19 lockdown in Shanghai and restrictions in other Chinese cities could cause Mooy to be stuck there next week when the Socceroos play their World Cup play-off against the United Arab Emirates in Doha.

The latest wave of the pandemic in China has already caused the football season there to be postponed. The CSL was supposed to kick off in March and will now begin on Friday, with all fixtures to be staged in three cities.

Former Huddersfield Town midfielder Aaron Mooy has already missed some of Australia’s qualifying matches. Photo: AFP

Mooy, however, has stayed with other members of the Australia squad in Scotland, where they have been training.

“The club wanted him to go back, the club was trying to force him to go back, but he wanted to be here with us,” said Australia coach Graham Arnold.