Myanmar withdraws from U23 soccer tournament due to virus

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (AP) — Myanmar withdrew Tuesday from the ASEAN Football Federation’s under-23 Championship in Cambodia right after warning that its coronavirus-strike squad was a “danger” to opponents.

“Our key worry is the basic safety of our players simply because the daily life of just about every single participant is far more significant than any football match,” Velizar Popov, Myanmar’s Bulgarian coach, posted on his Facebook web site.

“At the second we have only five fully fit gamers out of 26 gamers squad devoid of COVID-19 symptoms — all other individuals players are constructive and symptomatic, so in this essential problem we are contagious and also (a) risk for our opponents,” Popov wrote, introducing that it had no selection “but to withdraw from the match.”

AFF president Khieu Sameth mentioned Myanmar was set to participate in its very first match on Tuesday against Malaysia, in the Cambodian cash Phnom Penh, but then requested to withdraw.

“It is with good regret that the Myanmar U23 team has to withdraw from the AFF U23 Championship,” Sameth stated on the ASEAN Football Federation site. “However, the wellness and protection of every person associated are of utmost importance and we thoroughly recognize the choice that has been taken.”

He stated that Myanmar’s crew would remain in Cambodia though its infected players acquired treatment and fly back residence when the gamers examined unfavorable.

Defending winner Indonesia withdrew on Friday. It explained to the AFF that numerous squad customers examined favourable for the virus before departing for Cambodia, and it did not journey to the tournament.

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