Phoenix’s match against the Reds at Coopers Stadium kicked off at 4.30pm with the temperature topping 38 degrees during the contest where drinks breaks were held every 15 minutes.

FFA defended its decision to proceed with the schedule kick-off, following Wet Bulb Globe Temperature testing in line with its heat policy.

Wellington’s Shane Lowry was vomiting at half-time, although the FFA pointed out both club doctors confirmed no players had suffered heat stroke.

Despite that, Durante slammed the decision to stick with the 4.30pm kick-off, calling for a common sense approach and challenging A-League boss Greg O’Rourke.

“I think common sense has to prevail,” Durante said. “Forget that wet bulb guide.

“I’d like to see the head of the A-League play 90 minutes in that heat and see how they react to it.

“It’s dangerous. I know the PFA (Professional Footballers’ Australia) are very strong on this.

“I don’t know what will be done, hopefully there’s some more common sense next time it happens.”

Durante labelled the kick-off time in such heat as “madness” and revealed team-mates were still recovering from the conditions four days later, when they’d normally be fine within one or two days.

“We played a game a few years ago in Newcastle which was 40 or 41, which was the hottest I’ve played in,” Durante said.

“That (the Adelaide-Wellington game) was easily the second hottest game I’ve had to play in.

“There were drinks breaks but it was borderline dangerous in my opinion.

“The game should have been pushed back. A 4.30pm kick-off in that heat was madness.

“I think it affected the game. Both teams were alright in the beginning, but us especially in the second half faded. We couldn’t get to grips with the temperature.”

Wellington midfielder Vince Lia added he was “buggered the whole time” in the conditions.