Myanmar football teams withdraw from tournaments again

Myanmar football teams withdraw from tournaments again

Two Myanmar football teams have pulled out of Asian tournaments for the second year running, officials said Wednesday, as the country faces ongoing turmoil after last year's coup.

The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) said Shan United FC withdrew from the AFC Champions League, while Hantharwady United FC pulled out of the AFC Cup.

The Champions League is Asia's top club tournament, while the AFC Cup is a second-tier club competition.

Hantharwady had been drawn in Group I for the AFC Cup, while Shan United were to take part in the preliminary stage of the Champions League.

No reason was given for the withdrawals, and there was no announcement on which teams would replace them.

Both teams pulled out of the same tournaments last year.

Myanmar has been gripped by violence since a coup in February last year ousted Aung San Suu Kyi's civilian government.

More than 1,400 civilians have since been killed in a military crackdown on dissent, according to a local monitoring group.

More news from Mizzima
September 19, 2024
The Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) officially announced on 18 September that...
September 18, 2024
Myanmar citizens who are still being held in India at an Assam State detention centre, despite...
September 17, 2024
Torrential rain falling on Inle lake in Nyaungshwe Township, southern Shan State has led to...
September 12, 2024
In Salingyi Township, Sagaing Region, a junta column marching to provide security for Chinese...