Bangladesh’s football club Bashundhara Kings on Sunday were forced to cancel their trip to the Maldives following a travel ban issued by the country on travellers from seven South Asian countries, including Bangladesh.
The immigration authorities of Maldives on Saturday imposed a restriction on travellers from seven South Asian countries, including Bangladesh, for visiting the country amid rising Covid-19 cases in the region.
In a message posted on its website, the Maldives immigration authorities said that the precautionary actions would be effective from Sunday.
Zubair Alam Nipu, the technical director of Bashundhara Kings, confirmed that they were forced to cancel the trip at the eleventh hour.
Bashundhara Kings were scheduled to leave for the Maldives at 6:30 pm to play in the AFC Cup group D matches.
“We were ready to travel. When we were about to board the bus, Bangladesh Football Federation informed us that the AFC suspended the matches in the Maldives,” Nipu told reporters in a video message.
The Asian Football Confederation also confirmed that the AFC Cup (South) Group D matches, scheduled in the Maldives from May 14 to 21, 2021, have been postponed until further notice.
“Participating clubs who have travelled to the Maldives will be required to arrange for their return home while adhering to the COVID-19 health and travel protocols put in place by the country,” said a media release issued by AFC.
“At the same time, the AFC is in contact with all other participating clubs and officials who have not entered the Maldives to cancel their travel arrangements,” it said.
