Maldives Sports Minister asks Bengaluru FC to “leave country”

This was after reports emerged that some players were seen on a street at Male

Bengaluru FC's AFC Cup play-off match against Eagles FC on May 11 here is in doubt after the host country's sports minister asked the ISL side to leave citing breach of COVID-19 protocols, a charge which the club's owner admitted to be correct.

The exact nature of the breach by BFC, which is captained by India skipper Sunil Chhetri, was not specified but sports minister Ahmed Mahloof termed it as "unacceptable", a sentiment echoed by club owner Parth Jindal.

This was after reports emerged that some of the club's players were seen on a street at Male in violation of the quarantine rules.

Jindal apologised for the "inexcusable behaviour of three foreign players/staff" and promised strictest action against them.

Local media reported that BFC players, who had reached Maldives on Friday, were seen on the Male streets, which was not permitted as they were given special permission to be here despite the ban on tourists from India because of a COVID-19 surge there.

"Unacceptable behavior from @bengalurufc breaching the strict guidelines from HPA (Health Protection Agency) & @theafcdotcom. The club should leave Flag of Maldives immediately as we can't entertain this act," Mahloof tweeted from his official handle.

"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." As per a report by ' Adhadhu News', a local newspaper quoted by goal.com website, Maldives' Health Protection Agency (HPA) had given special permission for the playoff match between Eagles and Bengaluru FC.

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"Unacceptable behavior from @bengalurufc... The club should leave Flag of Maldives immediately as we can't entertain this act

— Ahmed Mahloof, Maldives Sports Minister