AFC Cup 2021 Group D matches postponed until further notice

ATK Mohun Bagan have been asked to cancel their travel arrangements by AFC.

The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has confirmed that the AFC Cup 2021 (South) Group D matches, which were scheduled to take place from May 14 to 21, 2021, will not be held in Male, Maldives.

Participating clubs who have travelled to Maldives will be required to arrange for their return home while adhering to the COVID-19 health and travel protocols put in place by the country. At the same time, the AFC is in contact with all other Participating clubs and officials who have not entered the Maldives to cancel their travel arrangements.

The AFC Cup (South) Group Stage matches are now postponed until further notice with more information to be announced in due course.

Meanwhile, the AFC Cup play-off match between Bengaluru FC and Club Eagles is also unlikely to happen after a few BFC players broke COVID norms.

Earlier today, Khel Now confirmed that some players in the Blues' squad stepped out of the bio-bubble, after Ahmed Mahloof, the Minister of Youth, Sports and Community Empowerment in Maldives accused them of doing so and putting the future of the competition at risk.

Later, Parth Jindal issued a public apology on Twitter and condemned the behaviour of the players. “On behalf of Bengaluru FC, I am extremely sorry for the inexcusable behaviour of three of our foreign players/staff while in Male – the strictest action will be taken against these players/staff. We have let AFC Cup down and can only say that this will never happen again,” he wrote.

Meanwhile, Mahloof also spoke in an exclusive interview with Khel Now and said, “I am told by the Football Association of Maldives that they have met and discussed the situation with the AFC match commissioner. I strongly believe that AFC will take the matter seriously. Meanwhile, we have decided that we will not host the playoff game at any cost."

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