Kuala Lumpur: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has today confirmed the places for the 2021 AFC Champions League Group Stage following an extensive feedback exercise with the Associated Member Associations, trade partners and all relevant stakeholders.
In the Western Division games, scheduled to be held April 14-30, Saudi A will host Groups A and D in Riyadh as well as Group C in Jeddah, with the games in Group B held in the United Arab Emirates city of Sharjah, while India, whose FC Goa representative is ready to celebrate for the first time in the premier club tournament in Asia, hosting Group E.
In the Eastern Division, the AFC has decided to postpone the Group Stage matches originally planned for April 21 – May 7 to June / July 2021, taking into account the travel restrictions and quarantine challenges. which is the COVID-19 pandemic.
Meanwhile, Thailand will provide the backdrop for the games in Groups F, G and J East Division, with the places for Groups H and I as well as the exact dates for all Groups. decide and communicate in due course. The AFC 2021 (East) League Starter and Playoff matches have also been postponed and will be played in centralized venues of their Group Level matches.
As part of the application process, which was opened to all Partner Member Associations, a wide range of requirements were put in place to ensure adherence to the highest health and safety protocols and standards.
These include minimum travel restrictions and quarantines for away clubs, the convenience of flight connections and the medical situation in the host country, sufficient facilities to arrange the matches and, most importantly, the mandatory Covid test. -19 arrangements for all players and officials, the costs will be borne by the AFC.
Dato ‘Windsor John, General Secretary of the AFC, said: “On behalf of the Asian football family, I would like to thank our Member Associations for their interest in hosting the club’s tournaments and the commitment to ensuring we continue to promote safety and wellbeing. of our players, teams and officials at the very forefront of our priorities.
“The AFC is very grateful for the support of the AFC Competitions Committee and our commercial partners and will continue to protect the interests of all stakeholders as we strive to ensure a safe and successful club football season. 2021 ”.
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