AFC Cup 2021: Singapore Withdraws As Host For Group Stage Matches

By Massita Ahmad SINGAPORE, May 27 (Bernama) -- The Football Association of Singapore (FAS) on Thursday said it has informed the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) that it will withdraw as host of the AFC Cup 2021 Group Stage matches. According to FAS, the competition involving Groups H & I was due to take place from June 29 to July 6, 2021 for foreign clubs from Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Vietnam. The association noted that it has been working with all parties to provide a safe environment for all participants of the tournament. “However, the erratic COVID-19 situation regionally has made the inbound travel challenging for the overseas participating teams,” it said on its website. “In the interest of all the players, the officials and the local community, the FAS has decided not to host the AFC Cup 2021 Group Stage matches,” it added. Singapore’s representatives in these group matches are Lion City Sailors FC & Geylang International FC, it said. In a separate statement, AFC said it has taken note of FAS’ decision to withdraw from hosting the AFC Cup Groups H and I matches. “The AFC acknowledged the challenges caused by the evolving nature of the COVID-19 pandemic in Singapore and around the region,” it said, adding that further details on the AFC Cup (ASEAN) Group Stage will be communicated in due course. -- BERNAMA