Srinagar, May 9: In an embarrassing incident , Benguluru FC have been asked to leave Maldives by its Sports Minister after the club allegedly breached the COVID19 protocols put in place .
It means that Benguluru FC’s play AFC Cup play off match is in doubt as Sports Minister said that they have asked to depart and have informed AFC about it as well.
Unacceptable behavior from @bengalurufc breaching the strict guidelines from HPA & @theafcdotcom.
The club should leave Maldives immediately as we can’t entertain this act.
“We honoured the commitment we gave a few months back even with the surge in cases & pressure from the public,” Mahloof said in another tweet.
The exact nature of the alleged breach by BFC, captained by India skipper Sunil Chhetri, is not clear but sports minister Ahmed Mahloof termed it as “unacceptable behaviour”.
Mahloof’s tweet also meant that all the Group D matches may be in jeopardy. ATK Mohun Bagan are to play the winner of BFC and Eagles on May 14 in their opening match. BFC had reached Maldives on Friday.
Maldives is hosting the play-off match and all the Group D matches as the AFC wanted single venues in view of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We have informed FAM that we cannot hold the match, and asked them to make arrangements for @bengalurufc’s departure. We will be in further correspondence with AFC through @MaldivesFA to postpone the group stage,” hos another Tweet reads .