Meanwhile, in the AFC Cup South Zone, the AFC COVID-19 Sub-Committee
for AFC Champions League and AFC Cup (West) has also noted the mounting
challenges faced by Bangladesh’s Abahani Limited Dhaka in meeting the
extended deadline to host their AFC Cup Preliminary Stage match against
Club Eagles from Maldives.
Taking into careful consideration the exceptional circumstances
surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, in particular the lockdown and travel
restrictions in Bangladesh, the Sub-Committee decided that Abahani
Limited Dhaka are considered to have withdrawn from the AFC Cup 2021 and
that the situation constituted an event of force majeure.
The Sub-Committee also agreed to award the Playoff Stage slot to Club
Eagles, who will now face India’s Bengaluru FC for a place in the AFC
Cup Group D on May 11, 2021 in Maldives.
Dhaka Abahani and BFF made a real mess of it. They were holding onto the hope of hosting the match in Dhaka despite the authorities saying it wasn't possible. I suspect they've also been ignoring emails from AFC lately.
Then suddenly the General Secretary of BFF announced in a video message on Facebook that the match will be played on 11th May in Dhaka because allegedly FAM said they were incapable of hosting the match in Male', and that Eagles will also be required to undergo a quarantine period, further pushing back the tie against Bengaluru, as well as the group stage fixtures.
FAM denied this, saying they had not communicated, nor received any form of communication from BFF for more than a week regarding the matter.
"We are mystified by that announcement, and we certainly did not say that we are incapable of hosting the playoffs, considering that we are ready to host the group stage matches from 14 to 20th May," FAM stated.
In the end AFC got fed up and decided to assume that Dhaka Abahani were simply incapable of coming up with a solution.
At the time of writing this, there are no travel restrictions for people travelling from India and Bangladesh to Maldives.
Usual daily flights are still operating. Tourists from the two countries are not allowed to visit inhabited islands, but can only stay within resort island bubbles. Those with work visas need to undergo a mandatory quarantine.
I don't know if there's going to be a quarantine period for the teams now, but when Thimphu FC came earlier this month, they merely had to do PCR tests on arrival and adhere to the biobubble regulations.
Bengaluru - Eagles match will be hosted in Male. I don't think getting to Maldives is an issue both for Indians and foreigners. Male should have good air connectivity. I guess foreigners of ATKMB can reach Male without entering India.
Organisation, pitch conditions in Goa for ACL Group E very good, hails Laurent Blanc
Blanc, who is widely known around the world for being a part of the famous French side that won the FIFA World Cup 1998 and the UEFA Euro 2000, thanked the organisers, stating that it is “not easy” to organise such tournaments during these testing times.
Taking a moment at the end of the press conference after their match against Persepolis which Al Rayyan lost 2-4, Blanc said, “I saw the organisation (of Group E), and it was very good. I know it’s not easy to organise tournaments like these (during such times), so thank you so very much.”
“The conditions, especially the pitch was really good, despite there being many games on this pitch,” quipped Blanc. “Thank you very much for the welcome. It was very kind. And maybe we will see you again next year.”
Praises also poured in from Persepolis FC head coach Yahya Golmohammadi who hailed the hospitality that his team received in Goa.
“I thank the Federation for organising these matches and everyone from all statures, who helped in the hospitality. Everyone did their best,” said Golmohammadi.
Comments
Bengaluru will host Eagles on May 11 in Playoff round. Winners qualifies for Group Stage.
Meanwhile, in the AFC Cup South Zone, the AFC COVID-19 Sub-Committee for AFC Champions League and AFC Cup (West) has also noted the mounting challenges faced by Bangladesh’s Abahani Limited Dhaka in meeting the extended deadline to host their AFC Cup Preliminary Stage match against Club Eagles from Maldives.
Taking into careful consideration the exceptional circumstances surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, in particular the lockdown and travel restrictions in Bangladesh, the Sub-Committee decided that Abahani Limited Dhaka are considered to have withdrawn from the AFC Cup 2021 and that the situation constituted an event of force majeure.
The Sub-Committee also agreed to award the Playoff Stage slot to Club Eagles, who will now face India’s Bengaluru FC for a place in the AFC Cup Group D on May 11, 2021 in Maldives.
http://www.arunfoot.com/latest-updates-on-afc-club-competitions/
Abahani FC failed to host or travel outside the country due to flight ban (incoming and outgoing)
Meanwhile there is a serious doubt over remaining fixtures also. How will two indian clubs reach Maldives ?
Then suddenly the General Secretary of BFF announced in a video message on Facebook that the match will be played on 11th May in Dhaka because allegedly FAM said they were incapable of hosting the match in Male', and that Eagles will also be required to undergo a quarantine period, further pushing back the tie against Bengaluru, as well as the group stage fixtures.
FAM denied this, saying they had not communicated, nor received any form of communication from BFF for more than a week regarding the matter.
"We are mystified by that announcement, and we certainly did not say that we are incapable of hosting the playoffs, considering that we are ready to host the group stage matches from 14 to 20th May," FAM stated.
In the end AFC got fed up and decided to assume that Dhaka Abahani were simply incapable of coming up with a solution.
Usual daily flights are still operating. Tourists from the two countries are not allowed to visit inhabited islands, but can only stay within resort island bubbles. Those with work visas need to undergo a mandatory quarantine.
I don't know if there's going to be a quarantine period for the teams now, but when Thimphu FC came earlier this month, they merely had to do PCR tests on arrival and adhere to the biobubble regulations.
Blanc, who is widely known around the world for being a part of the famous French side that won the FIFA World Cup 1998 and the UEFA Euro 2000, thanked the organisers, stating that it is “not easy” to organise such tournaments during these testing times.
Taking a moment at the end of the press conference after their match against Persepolis which Al Rayyan lost 2-4, Blanc said, “I saw the organisation (of Group E), and it was very good. I know it’s not easy to organise tournaments like these (during such times), so thank you so very much.”
“The conditions, especially the pitch was really good, despite there being many games on this pitch,” quipped Blanc. “Thank you very much for the welcome. It was very kind. And maybe we will see you again next year.”
Praises also poured in from Persepolis FC head coach Yahya Golmohammadi who hailed the hospitality that his team received in Goa.
“I thank the Federation for organising these matches and everyone from all statures, who helped in the hospitality. Everyone did their best,” said Golmohammadi.
https://www.the-aiff.com/article/organisation-pitch-conditions-in-goa-for-acl-group-e-very-good-hails-laurent-blanc
Good to know!