AFC to suspend and fine Brunei after last-minute withdrawal

MANILA, Philippines – Suspension and heavy fines are expected to be levied on Brunei following its last-minute withdrawal from the ongoing Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Challenge Cup Group E qualifiers here.

Brunei Times reported that the AFC Disciplinary Committee is already investigating the matter and the Sultanate will automatically sit out the next edition aside from paying hefty fines.

"We will definitely take action and we are currently looking into it,” said an AFC spokesperson in a telephone interview with Brunei Times.

The AFC Challenge Cup Maldives 2014 regulations' Section 3:20 (c) states that "a participating member association (that) withdraws after entering or does not report for a match at any stage of the competition will be disqualified from taking part in the next edition of the competition."

However, the suspension may be extended pending the result of the investigation. AFC Executive Committee will have the final decision and will determine the amount of fine depending on the gravity of situation and/or damages.

The AFC can only make exceptions in cases of force majeure or superior force (events such as earthquakes, floods and hurricanes) recognized by the AFC Competitions Committee based on the rule book.

Section 3:20 (c) also states that the participating member association is required to pay compensation for any and all damages or losses suffered by the other participating member associations, the AFC and AFC's commercial and TV partner(s) in case of withdrawal.

Brunei’s last-minute withdrawal due to “unavoidable circumstances” as stated in its official letter to AFC has left Group E with only three teams.

The Sultanate was scheduled to meet host Philippines in the opener yesterday, Turkmenistan tomorrow and Cambodia on Tuesday.

The AFC spokesperson, who is based in Kuala Lumpur, added that “there will be changes in the overall qualification process which is very complicated.”

Brunei’s absence will have an effect in the computations for the slots allotted for the two best runner-ups in all the five group qualifiers. To avoid complications, AFC has decided to award 3-0 wins to all Brunei opponents in Group E which included the Philippine Azkals.

The Azkals will meet Cambodia tomorrow and Turkmenistan on Tuesday. All matches are being played at the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium.