Maldives Minister Asks Bengaluru FC To "Leave Immediately", Club Admits "Inexcusable Behaviour"

Bengaluru FC's AFC Cup play-off match against Eagles FC on May 11 in the Maldives is in doubt after the host country's sports minister asked the Indian Super League side to leave the country alleging breach of COVID-19 protocols.

Unacceptable behavior from @bengalurufc breaching the strict guidelines from HPA & @theafcdotcom.The club should leave immediately as we can't entertain this act.We honoured the commitment we gave a few months back even with the surge in cases & pressure from the public. https://t.co/RXxma0hyjm We have informed FAM that we cannot hold the match, and asked them to make arrangements for @bengalurufc's departure. We will be in further correspondence with AFC through @MaldivesFA to postpone the group stage. https://t.co/wPO7Qkw9Ou Bengaluru FC's AFC Cup play-off match against Eagles FC on May 11 here is in doubt after the host country's sports minister asked the ISL side to leave citing breach of COVID-19 protocols, a charge which the club's owner admitted to be correct. The exact nature of the protocol breach by BFC, which is captained by India skipper Sunil Chhetri, was not specified but sports minister Ahmed Mahloof termed it as "unacceptable", a sentiment echoed by club owner Parth Jindal. This was after reports emerged that some of the club's players were seen on a street at Male in violation of the quarantine rules. Jindal apologised for the "inexcusable behaviour of three foreign players/staff" and promised strictest action against them.