Australian sides pull out of AFC Champions League after schedule rejig due to COVID-19

The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) announced the withdrawals, but did not give any explanation.

Agence France-Presse June 04, 2021 12:56:10 IST
Australian sides pull out of AFC Champions League after schedule rejig due to COVID-19

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Australian sides Sydney FC, Melbourne City and Brisbane Roar have pulled out of the Asian Champions League, organisers said Friday, after an A-League overhaul caused scheduling clashes.

The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) announced the withdrawals, but did not give any explanation.

However it came hours after the A-League said its finals schedule had been rejigged to run from 11-26 June, because of coronavirus restrictions prompted by an outbreak in Victoria state.

Brisbane were due to face Philippine team Kaya FC-Iloilo on 20 June in the Champions League preliminary round, and Melbourne were to play Japan's Cerezo Osaka the following day.

Sydney had a group stage match against South Korea's Jeonbuk Motors scheduled for June 26.

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