More than 10 members of India's women's football team have tested positive for Covid-19, forcing the team to withdraw from the ongoing AFC Asian Cup being played in Mumbai.
The team was slated to play their Group A match against Chinese Taipei on Sunday night but following their positive tests, the match was called off as India didn't have enough players to field in the match. The team was subsequently withdrawn from the tournament.
The withdrawal means, according to the AFC rules, all of India's matches in the tournament are now null and void. India had opened their campaign with a 0-0 draw against Iran.
The Chinese Taipei match on Sunday was to be played at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai.
"All matches of India are now cancelled and considered null and void pursuant to Article 6.5.5 of the Competition Regulations. For the avoidance of doubt, all points and goals in those matches shall not be taken into consideration when determining the final rankings in the group in conformity with Article 7.3 of the Competition Regulations," AFC said on Monday.
“Following several positive cases of COVID-19, India failed to name the required minimum of 13 players for the Group A match against Chinese Taipei,” an AFC statement read.
India were unable to name a minimum 13-woman squad for the match and it was considered a withdrawal, according to the competition rules. India had originally named a 23-member squad for the continental tournament.
According to the rules any team that withdraws after the competition has started will have all their matches cancelled and considered null and void. Any points or goals earned in matches will not count towards determining the final rankings in the group.
“In accordance with Article 4.1 of the ‘Special Rules Applicable to AFC Competitions during the COVID-19 pandemic’ (Special Rules), India was therefore unable to participate in the match and the full provisions of Article 4.1 will apply,” AFC said in a statement on Sunday.
The Rule 4.1 states: “If a Participating Team/Participating Club has less than thirteen (13) Participating Players (including one [1] goalkeeper) available for a Match for any reason (whether or not relating to COVID-19), the relevant Participating Team / Participating Club shall not be able to participate in the Match. Such Participating Team / Participating Club shall be held responsible for the Match not taking place and shall be considered to have withdrawn from the relevant Competition.”
"We are as disappointed as probably the entire nation would be right now with this unwarranted situation. However, the players' health and well-being are of paramount importance to us, and it cannot be compromised under any circumstances. I wish all the infected players and team officials a swift and full recovery. They will be well supported by the AIFF and AFC,” AIFF President Praful Patel said on Sunday.
“The team is heartbroken, and I request all to respect their feelings and sentiments."
In the days before the game against Iran, two members of the Indian squad had tested positive for COVID-19. They were then placed in isolation at a designated medical facility.
This was the Indian football team’s first appearance at the AFC Women’s Asian Cup since 2003. They have finished runners-up twice - in 1979 and 1983 - and also finished third in 1981.
AIFF president and head of the Organizing Committee, Praful Patel had earlier said that matches will not be cancelled if 13 players are available in each of the two competing teams. "The affected player or players will be isolated but the teams will be fielded as long as 13 players (in each team) are available," Patel said.
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