Doha to host AFC CL final
THE Asian Football Confederation (AFC), together with the atar Football Association ( FA), has confirmed Doha,
atar as the venue for this year’s AFC Champions League single-leg final, which will be held on December 19, 2020.
With the successful conclusion of the AFC Champions League 2020 (West) in atar recently, as well as the upcoming preparations to host the East region matches next month, the AFC noted that the FA met all the necessary hosting capability and capacity and medical infrastructure to host the Final of Asia’s premier club competition.
AFC General-Secretary Dato’ Windsor John, said “The CO ID-19 pandemic has undoubtedly made the decision on the venue for this year’s Final more complex particularly in these uncertain times of travel and health restrictions.
“In addition to the numerous restrictions, the AFC also wanted to protect the important principle of sporting fair play. This will be, unlike previous years, a one-off final and we therefore needed to ensure that there was no unfair advantage to one team or the other.
“The safety and well being of all participating clubs as well as the protection of all stakeholders has been crucial to the AFC so we must thank the atar Football Association and the atar Local Authorities and Ministries for putting in place the necessary health measures and effective medical protocols.
“The successful staging of the AFC Champions League (West) is testament to the capability of the FA and the
atar Government and we now look forward to building on the spirit of collaboration as we prepare to resume the captivating action from the East Group Stage to the final.”
Additionally, the AFC also had to consider the ability of the host to deliver such requirements among others, the
ideo Assistant Referee technical arrangements, medical requirements and commercial obligations.
FA Secretary-General Mansoor Mohammed Al Ansari, said “Given the success of hosting the centralised West region matches in close collaboration with the AFC, and the preparation for the centralised East matches next month, we are confident that we will be able to deliver an outstanding AFC Champions League final.
“atar wishes to reiterate our commitment to provide world-class sporting infrastructure and operational and health and safety expertise and we look forward towards working hand-in-hand with the AFC to offer Asia’s best clubs with the ultimate stage in December.”
The AFC Champions League East region group stage will kick-off on November 18, before the Round of 16 takes place on December 6 and 7. The knock-out stage will commence with the quarter-finals on December 10 before the semi-final on December 13. Further details of the final will be communicated in due course.