Coronavirus: Calls for changes in Olympics age restrictions after postponement

The Games have been put off as a result of the coronavirus outbreak, with organisers now looking to hold the event in 2021

The Tokyo 2020 football tournament should have its age limit increased to 24 in light of the postponement of the Games, Australia's football federation has said.

The Games have been put off as a result of the coronavirus outbreak, with organisers now looking to hold the event in 2021.

Regulations put in place since the 1996 Games in Atlanta mean that countries can have no more than three players over 23 in their squad.

But the Football Federation of Australia is to lobby the Asian Football Confederation and FIFA to up this to 24 in light of the delay.

FFA Chief Executive Officer James Johnson said: "Men's football at the Olympics is an U23 tournament but we would like to open up discussion with FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) to consider adjusting the men's football tournament so that it becomes an U24 tournament for the Tokyo Olympic Games.

"This would ensure the players who helped their nation qualify for the Games this year but might otherwise be ineligible for the tournament next year because of age restrictions have an opportunity to fulfil their dreams of representing their country and becoming Olympians."

Australia's men qualified for the Games in Tokyo after beating Uzbekistan 1-0 in the third-place game at the AFC Under-23 Championship in Thailand.

Other nations to have qualified include hosts Japan, Italy, San Marino, France, Germany, Romania, Spain, Colombia, Argentina and reigning Olympic champions Brazil.