AFC Champ Lge Coronavirus outbreak
Coronavirus wreaks havoc with sporting calendar
Last year’s AFC Champions League ended badly for East Asia with the title going to a team from the west of the continent, Al Hilal of Saudi Arabia, for only the second time since 2005. That, however, is nothing compared to how the 2020 version has started for the region.
Due to the coronavirus that originated in the Chinese city of Wuhan in December and spread around the country and elsewhere, the four Chinese teams were conspicuous by their absence when the continental tournament kicked off in February, with Shanghai Shenhua, Guangzhou Evergrande, Shanghai SIPG and Beijing Guoan all on extended training camps following the postponement of the Chinese Super League, which had been due to start on February 22.
While the Chinese FA has just one country to worry about, the Asian Football Confederation has been working hard to try to keep the Champions League going.
As the virus started to make headlines, Shanghai SIPG’s play-off qualifier at home to Buriram United was played behind closed doors, despite requests from the Thai club for a switch to a neutral country. On the scoresheet in SIPG’s 3-0 win was Austrian striker Marko Arnautovic, who has looked good in pre-season after struggling during his first few months in China following a big-money move last summer from West Ham United.
The next day, as the virus situation grew more serious, the AFC told Chinese clubs that their first three group games would be played away from home in the hope that, by match day four in April, the situation would be under control.
However, the day after that, with Shanghai SIPG and Shanghai Shenhua due to head to Australia to face Sydney and Perth Glory respectively in the opening round of games, this solution was already impossible. The Australian government announced that flights from the Chinese mainland would not be allowed to enter the country and that was that. Shortly afterwards, Thailand said the same.
An emergency meeting was held in Kuala
Lumpur with officials from Australia, China and elsewhere trying to find a solution. In the end it was announced that the first three games involving Chinese teams in all four of the eastern groups – the tournament is divided into east and west geographic zones until the Final – would be postponed.
Games involving teams from South Korea, Australia, Japan, Thailand and Malaysia would go ahead, but the games involving Chinese teams would be rescheduled for April and May. The second round, which is a knockout stage featuring 16 teams, is a two-leg affair and is due to start in June. The AFC has its fingers crossed that this will go ahead as normal.
AFC general-secretary Windsor John says: “We came together in difficult circumstances to find solutions to allow us to play football while ensuring we protect the safety and security of all players, officials, stakeholders and fans. We also accept that this coronavirus is a
“This coronavirus is a much bigger issue than just football”
AFC general-secretary Windsor John
much bigger issue than just football and we wish all those who have been affected a speedy return to health.”
This was not the first meeting held by the AFC in regard to this year’s Champions League as there have also been headaches in the western half of the draw.
Saudi Arabia and Iran are the two powerhouses of West Asian football but, due to the absence of diplomatic relations, their clubs played each other at neutral venues in 2019, depriving the competition of what would have been some of its biggest attendances.
This year it had been hoped that things would be different – until the US government drone strike near Baghdad International Airport in early January which killed top Iranian general Qasem Soleimani put paid to that. When Tehran hit back with missile strikes against targets in Iraq, Iran’s neighbours talked of security concerns and there were reports that all four Iranian teams would have to play all their home games in neutral countries.
These rumours provoked fury in Tehran, with the Iranian Football Federation threatening a complete withdrawal. In response, the AFC said that Iranian teams could play their three away games first and the situation will be looked at again in April.
That remains to be seen but, for now, things appear to be holding together.
There are always issues in Asian football due to its size, its diversity and its geopolitical rivalries, and the presence of so many of the world’s “hot spots” means that AFC officials need to be well informed, sensitive and constantly on their toes.
The coronavirus is a bigger threat than most and, at the moment, just being able to complete the group stage on time will be a major success and will be greeted with a sigh of relief.