Bengaluru FC asked to leave Maldives after breaching COVID-19 protocol; AFC Cup 2021 Group D matches indefinitely postponed

Bengaluru FC were asked to leave Maldives after three of their players/staff were found in breach of COVID-19 protocols ahead of their AFC Cup 2021 playoff match against Club Eagles. The match was scheduled to be held on May 11 2021.

Further, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has released a statement saying that the AFC Cup (South) Group D matches which were scheduled to take place from May 14 to May 21 2021 will not be held in Male, Maldives. Both the AFC Cup (South) Group and Playoff Stage matches are now postponed until further notice.

Group D comprised of Bashundhara Kings (BAN), Maziya S&RC (MDV), ATK Mohun Bagan (IND) and was to include the winner of the play-off match between Bengaluru FC vs Club Eagles.

There were also reports of couple of ATK Mohun Bagan players testing positive for COVID-19. ATKMB were to leave for Maldives before their May 14 opener, but won’t be doing so after the AFC announcement.

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— Bengaluru FC (@bengalurufc) May 9, 2021

On behalf of @bengalurufc I am extremely sorry for the inexcusable behavior of three of our foreign players/staff while in Male – the strictest action will be taken against these players/staff. We have let @AFCCup down and can only say that this will never happen again

— Parth Jindal (@ParthJindal11) May 9, 2021

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