[Sport] The AFC excludes Al Hilal from the AFC Champions League

[HiTLeR]

The AFC excludes Al Hilal from the AFC Champions League

 

The AFC said in a statement that the Saudi club Al Hilal had failed to present the required list of 13 players in order to play the match in Group Two in the AFC Champions League for the West, in front of UAE youth Al Ahly Dubai. According to Article 4.3 of the regulations for the AFC tournaments during the Covid-19 pandemic, he was therefore considered withdrawing from the tournament.

All matches played by Al Hilal Club (which presented a list of 11 players for the match) were considered null and not counted, according to Article 6 of the AFC Champions League instructions, and consequently, Pakhtakor of Uzbekistan and Al-Ahly Dubai qualified for the round of 16.

And the statement continued, “The tournament’s instructions allowed 35 players to be registered in each club, but Al Hilal registered 30 players, and among these 27 players traveled with the team to Doha. In order to support the technical apparatus of the club affected by Covid-19 cases, the AFC has allowed the addition of goalkeepers in order to replace goalkeepers who have tested positive for Covid-19 virus, and has worked with the Qatar Football Association to facilitate the arrival of substitute goalkeepers alongside players. Others who were registered in the initial list and did not travel with the team, as well as other officials, and as soon as possible to Doha.

The article states: “If the participating team or club has fewer than 13 players (including one goalkeeper) in order to play the match, for any reason (whether related to Covid-19 virus or not), then the participating team or club is not Able to play the match, and this team or club will be responsible for the failure to hold the match, and therefore it will be considered withdrawn from the tournament. The participating team or club and its National Federation are subject to the procedures in the tournament instructions, as sti[CENSORED]ted.

The instructions add: “In exceptional circumstances, and in the event that the tournament schedule approved by the AFC General Secretariat is not affected, the AFC Competitions Committee (or any sub-committee entrusted with these responsibilities) can make an exception and allow the match schedule to be returned. Concerned ”.

However, the AFC Champions League subcommittee in the Western region decided that the postponement would have a significant negative impact on the current program of the AFC Champions League matches for the West, and decided not to grant an exception.

The medical team of the AFC and the health authorities in Qatar continue their commitment to the safety and health of all participating clubs, and they provide health care and support to individuals who have tested positive.