Coronavirus in sport: AFC Cup 2020 postponed

Bengaluru, March 18: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has decided to postpone all AFC Cup matches following an increase in the case of coronavirus cases reported around the world.

The AFC Cup is the continent's second-tier club competition and features teams from countries such as Jordan, Lebanon, Singapore, Bangladesh and Tajikistan.

"Following the imposition of further preventive measures and travel restrictions by several national governments due to the current COVID-19 pandemic, the Asian Football Confederation has decided today to postpone all AFC Cup 2020 matches until further notice," an AFC statement said.

AFC Statement on #AFCCup2020 matcheshttps://t.co/Nb7joWLfrv

— #AFCCup2020 (@AFCCup) March 18, 2020

Games in the west of Asia had already been suspended prior to the announcement. The decision means matches due to be played in March and April in the confederation's other four zones around Asia - south, central, south east and east - have now also been postponed.

"The AFC will closely monitor the situation before deciding when to recommence the 2020 AFC Cup season," the statement added.

"The decision, which was also made in conjunction with the competing clubs and their respective member associations, is a precautionary measure to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all participating players and teams, match officials and spectators as well as designed to protect the integrity of the competition."

The coronavirus outbreak has had a major impact on football across Asia.

The AFC Champions League, the region's leading club competition, has also been severely affected, with the schedule of the group phase thrown into disarray since the tournament kicked off in early February.

The start of the Chinese Super League and the K League in South Korea had been suspended indefinitely while Japan's J League was halted after the opening round of matches.

(With inputs from AFC Media/Agencies)