Almost half of the contracted players in the competition are set to become free agents after May 31, leaving them jobless but also able to move to other clubs in Australia or overseas.

League stakeholders – including Football Federation Australia (FFA) – are attempting to negotiate a solution, most likely involving a short-term extension of contracts until the 2019-20 season can be completed.

But no decision has been made so far, and the clock is ticking.

Sydney FC captain Alex Wilkinson, president of Professional Footballers’ Australia (PFA), said players were growing increasingly anxious the situation threatened to jeopardise attempts to resume the season.

“Without some certainty, we risk losing them to the game as well as compromising a fair end to the season,” Wilkinson said, adding those players with contracts set to expire were “in limbo”.

The FFA are yet to confirm a date, either to resume the season or allow players to return to training.

It appears that resolving the contract situation is the most pressing issue for organisers at this stage.

The A-League was suspended in late March with just a few rounds remaining before finals.

An initial proposal, put forward by the governing body featuring dramatic pay cuts for players, is believed to have been rejected by clubs and the players’ union.

Despite no set date being established, FFA chief executive James Johnson has indicated he expects the A-League to resume by August, depending on whether coronavirus restrictions on travel and large gatherings are eased.

Wilkinson said players remained committed to completing the season, but were concerned a lack of adequate training time before a condensed schedule was a recipe for injury.

“The players want to get back to work and finish what we started,” he said.

“Across the league, the players have continued to maintain fitness for a return, but there is no substitute for team training.

“If we do not resume adequate team training in advance of a restart, players face an increased risk of injury.”

To add to the troublesome situation, the A-League could resume without some of its biggest names, with at least 20 foreign players and coaches still overseas and unlikely to return in time for a potential restart.

With AAP