The AFC Cup Group D (South Zone) matches, scheduled to take place in Male (Maldives) from May 14-21, have been postponed until further notice, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) confirmed on Sunday.

The group features the likes of 2020-21 Hero Indian Super League (Hero ISL) finalists ATK Mohun Bagan, Maldives’ Maziya Sports & Recreation and Bangladesh’s Bashundhara Kings. The winners of the play-off between 2018-19 Hero ISL champions Bengaluru FC and Maldives’ Club Eagles will join the group as the fourth and last team.   

“The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) can confirm that the AFC Cup (South) Group D matches, which were scheduled to take place from May 14 to 21, 2021, will not be held in Male, Maldives,” the AFC wrote on its website.

“Participating clubs who have travelled to 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. At the same time, the AFC is in contact with all other participating clubs and officials who have not entered Maldives to cancel their travel arrangements.

“The AFC Cup (South) Group Stage matches are now postponed until further notice with more information to be announced in due course,” it added.