Courtesy-NDTV Sports
Bengaluru FC (BFC) of the Indian Super League released an apology after being ordered to leave the Maldives, where the AFC Cup play-offs were to be held, for violating the local COVID-19 protocols.
While the precise extent of the violation is unclear, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) postponed the tournament’s Group D matches in Male due to a health and safety breach.
Local Maldives media outlets confirmed that a few BFC players and workers were seen on Male streets, in breach of the Health Protection Agency’s protocol. According to the protocol, the BFC contingent is only permitted to leave the team hotel to practice and play the match.
In a photo from a Channel News Maldives report, BFC midfielder Erik Paartalu and two other BFC players are seen outside. An appeal to BFC to clarify the identities of the two participants – with their backs to the camera, as opposed to a clearly visible Paartalu – was denied.
“Bengaluru FC would also like to place on record an unconditional apology for a health and safety breach, involving one member of staff and two players in the Maldives, on Saturday. The club has held the highest standard of safety and precaution throughout the pandemic, and this error in judgement in no way aligns or indicates otherwise stringent measures that the club has maintained over the course of the season,” BFC said so.
The club has stated that it would make urgent preparations for the safe return of its players and staff home.
Earlier, Bengaluru FC CEO Parth Jindal apologized for the players’ actions and promised that strict action will be taken against them.
“On behalf of @bengalurufc, I am extremely sorry for the inexcusable behaviour of three of our foreign players/staff while in Male – the strictest action will be taken against these players/staff. We have let @AFCCup down and can only say that this will never happen again”, Jindal tweeted.
On behalf of @bengalurufc I am extremely sorry for the inexcusable behavior of three of our foreign players/staff while in Male – the strictest action will be taken against these players/staff. We have let @AFCCup down and can only say that this will never happen again
— Parth Jindal (@ParthJindal11) May 9, 2021