Kings upset with AFC’s last-minute decision
Bashundhara Kings players and officials were ready to leave their club premises with their bags and luggage had recently been loaded in the team bus. Every one of them were looking forward to their last photography session before leaving for Maldives to play AFC Cup and earn bigger success for the club. However, suddenly they found out about the postponement of their matches which shattered their dreams within a couple of seconds.
A 40-member team was likely to leave for Maldives on Sunday evening nonetheless they were told to stay back as Maldives expressed its inability to host the tournament in face of rising Covid-19 infections and imposed travel restrictions in the united states.
Kings’ President Imrul Hassan said the sudden postponement will make a deep effect on his team as the players and officials will eventually lose their motivation.
“Everything was going according to the program. We were sure about the tour until today then suddenly we were informed about the postponement (AFC Cup). We are really upset. Our all preparations, which have been taking for many months, went in vain,” Imrul expressed his frustration to The Daily Sun on Sunday.
“Our players and officials were highly motivated for this tour. All of us were expecting something good in Maldives. The decision must impact them. They'll certainly lose their motivation, tempo. Can they really have the ability to regain this inspiration and tempo whether or not AFC provides new date?” Imrul questioned.
The reigning Bangladesh Premier League champions may also suffer some financial losses that included their flight tickets, campaign costs and other arrangements.
Kings President said they will require compensation to the higher governing body of Asian football after obtaining the official letter in a few days.
Earlier about the postponement, AFC stated, “The AFC Cup (South) Group D matches, that have been scheduled to take place from May 14 to 21, 2021, will never be held in Male, Maldives. Participating clubs who've travelled to Maldives will be asked to request their return home while sticking with the COVID-19 health insurance and travel protocols set up by the country.
“Simultaneously, the AFC is in contact with all the Participating clubs and officials who have not entered the Maldives to cancel their travel arrangements. The AFC Cup (South) Group Stage matches are actually postponed until further notice with an increase of information to be announced in due course,” it added.
AFC is likely to reschedule these matches after the FIFA, AFC joint qualifiers in June. If the matches are held in July, the Bangladeshi side may face some problems because their contracts with almost all of the foreign recruits including players and coaching staff should come to end in June. The club authority is concerned about the contract expiry from now.
Bangladesh Football Federation also expressed their shock at your choice. BFF General Secretary Abu Nayeem Sohag said that they can await AFC's further decision.
“When we first surely got to understand that Maldives will choose the lockdown and curfew from May 6, we talked with AFC and Maldives FA. Both of them have assured us the meet will go on. Today's (Sunday) decision was uncertain. We've nothing to do with this matter, we will wait for AFC's further decision,” he said.
The misfortune is following Kings since their maiden participation in AFC Cup this past year. The BPL champions were forced to carry the reins of their chariot due to the pandemic outbreak, despite making a memorable 5-1 goals winning debut against the former Maldivian premier league champions TC Sports Club within the last edition of AFC Cup.
The imagine any Bangladeshi outfit is to play in the AFC Cup final that also provides chance to enter into the AFC Champions League; the highest tier of club football in Asia; but none have already been in a position to reach there up to now. Kings had an excellent chance to touch that feat this year.
Kings Spanish coach Oscar Bruzon was also frustrated with this sudden decision.
“We were prepared to board the plane. Your choice came at the same time whenever we would pack the bags and leave for the airport. It is obviously frustrating for all of us,” he said.
Kings captain Tapu Barman said that the complete team were in shock after obtaining the news of the postponement.
“We are in shock after obtaining the news of AFC Cup postponement. We had been preparing for this tour for several months. We'd some expectations out of this tour. We now have to resume right from the start,” he added.
Hosts Maldives, which have been requesting to AFC to postpone the meet for the last few days, finally expressed its inability on Saturday as the local government suspended entry from seven South Parts of asia. Indian Super League side Bengaluru FC stuck the ultimate nail in the coffin of the competition breaching the COVID-19 protocol which was exposed by the local media.
After the incidents, Minister of Youth, Sports and Community Empowerment of Maldives Ahmed Mahloof immediately wrote on his social media page, “Unacceptable behaviour from Bengaluru FC breaching the strict guidelines from HPA & AFC. The club should leave Maldives immediately as we can not entertain this act. We honoured the commitment we gave a few months back despite having the surge in cases & pressure from the general public.”
“We have informed FAM that people cannot contain the match, and asked them to create arrangements for Bengaluru FC's departure. We are in further correspondence with AFC through Maldives FA to postpone the group stage," he further added.
