MALE, 10 May 2021, (TON): Asian Football Confederation (AFC) on Sunday announced that the AFC Cup Group D matches in Maldives will be postponed. Bengaluru FC were scheduled to face local club Eagles FC in a playoff match after which the Group D matches were scheduled to start on 14 May with fellow Indian Super League (ISL) side ATK Mohun Bagan facing the winners of the playoff.

As per the details Maldives's Health Protection Agency (HPA) had given special permission for the play-off match between Eagles and Bengaluru FC. One of the conditions was that the players and staff had to be confined to the hotel at all times except when going for training and the matches.

BFC players, who had reached Maldives on Friday, were seen on the Male streets, which was not permitted as they were given special permission to be here despite the ban on tourists from India because of a COVID-19 surge there. Media footages confirmed Erik Paartalu walking on a street in Male Jindal apologised for the "inexcusable behaviour of three foreign players and staff and promised strictest action against them.

Maldives Sports Minister Ahmed Mahloof termed it as "unacceptable", and asked the club should leave Flag of Maldives immediately as we can't entertain this act."