Nongmathem Ratanbala Devi of India kicks the ball during the AFC Women’s Asian Cup match between India and Iran.
Highlight
- India had originally named a 23-man squad for the continental tournament.
- India could not name a minimum 13-women team for the match and it was considered a withdrawal.
- Apart from Iran, India are placed in Group A along with eight-time champions China and Chinese Taipei.
The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) on Monday canceled all Indian matches in Women’s Asian Cup football after they pulled out of the tournament due to a COVID-19 outbreak at their camp.
A day after the host nation failed to field a team against Chinese Taipei, the Confederation of Asian Football issued a statement confirming that India considered “withdrawn” from the tournament as per the guidelines. . ,
“Following the cancellation of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup India 2022™ Group A match between Chinese Taipei and India … India is deemed to have withdrawn from the competition in accordance with paragraph 4.1 of the ‘Special Rules applicable to AFC Competitions during COVID’ ‘-19 pandemic’,” the AFC said in a statement.
“All matches in India are now canceled and are considered null and void in accordance with Article 6.5.5 of the Competition Regulations.”
The continental body said the result of India’s lone match against Iran will not be taken into account when determining the final standings in the group.
Apart from Iran, India are placed in Group A along with eight-time champions China and Chinese Taipei.
“For the avoidance of doubt, all points and goals in those matches shall not be taken into account when determining the final ranking in a group in accordance with Article 7.3 of the Competition Rules.”
“Additionally, based on paragraph 7.4 of the Competition Regulations, the calculation of the best third-place participating teams among all groups shall be determined by the method set out in Appendix 2 of the AFC Competition Governing Manual.”
As a result of India’s forced withdrawal from the continental showpiece, only three teams – China PR, Chinese Taipei and Islamic Republic of Iran – will now compete in Group A of the competition.
“In order to avoid any possible disparity in the final comparison between all third-placed teams, the results of matches between the first, second and third-placed teams in Group B and C shall be calculated from the fourth-placed teams. will not be done.”
According to the rules of the competition, India could not name a minimum 13-women team for the match and it was considered a withdrawal.
India had originally named a 23-man squad for the continental tournament.
According to the rules any team that withdraws after the start of the competition, all its matches will be canceled and will be treated as null and void.
Any points earned in matches or goals will not count towards determining the final ranking in the group.
Rule 4.1 states: “If a participating team/participating club has less than thirteen (13) participating players (including one) [1] goalkeeper) is available for the match for any reason (whether related to COVID-19 or not), the participating team / participating club concerned will not be able to participate in the match.
“Such participating team/participating club will be held responsible for non-matching and will be deemed to have withdrawn from the competition concerned.”
– PTI. with inputs from
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