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Jonathan White

Measures to contain the novel coronavirus outbreak could cause chaos to the AFC Champions League as countries impose bans on foreign travellers who have been to China.
The Asian Football Confederation announced last week that Chinese Super League teams would play their first three games of the season’s competition away from home but those games are now in jeopardy.
Travel restrictions have since been imposed by Japan and Australia, two of the countries where Chinese Super League teams are scheduled to play when the competition begins on February 11.
Australian prime minister Scott Morrison announced strict travel restrictions on Saturday, denying entry to foreign travellers who have left or passed through mainland China.

After Australia announced a ban of any arrival from mainland China, CFA are negotiating with Australian football association for exemption for the AFC Champions League. Shanghai Shenhua are scheduled to play vs Perth Glory on Feb 11th. Shanghai SIPG vs Sydney FC on Feb 12th. pic.twitter.com/cBWfkwUQEl
— Titan Sports Plus (@titan_plus) February 1, 2020

Two of the four Chinese teams are start the tournament in Australia. Shanghai Shenhua are scheduled to play Perth Glory on the first match day while Shanghai SIPG travel to Sydney FC to play on February 12.
Chinese media have reported that the Chinese Football Association have contacted the AFC and the Football Federation Australia to ensure these games go ahead.
Shanghai F1 heads China events at risk ahead of coronavirus peak
Their plan is for the teams to charter a plane to travel to Australian and be quarantined and subject to local inspections ahead of the games. The alternative is to play games at a neutral venue.
The AFC has called a meeting at its Kuala Lumpur headquarters on Tuesday to discuss the situation.
China’s two other AFC Champions League teams – Beijing Guoan and Guangzhou Evergrande – are set to play their first games in South Korea, against FC Seoul and Suwon Bluewings respectively.

China Women's football team's fixture in the 2020 Olympic Qualifying is rescheduled: China vs Thailand, Feb 7. China vs Chinese Taipei, Feb 10. China vs Australia, Feb 12. 3 matches within 6 days. Due to quarantine, Chinese players have to train in hotel corridors after arrival. pic.twitter.com/XOHbABNWav
— Titan Sports Plus (@titan_plus) February 2, 2020

There are currently no travel restrictions in place in South Korea but Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe announced that the country would deny entry to foreigners who had visited Hubei within the past 14 days, or who had passports issued in the province.
Hubei’s capital Wuhan is at the centre of the outbreak and most cases are in the province.
Beijing Guoan also need to travel to Australia to play Melbourne Victory and to Thailand to play Chiangrai United, while Shanghai Shenhua have matches against South Korea’s Ulsan and Japan’s FC Tokyo to come.
Coronavirus concerns force cancellation of more China sports events
Shanghai SIPG also face trips to South Korea and Japan, to play Jeonbuk and Yokohama F Marinos, with Guangzhou Evergrande set for Japan’s Vissel Kobe and Malaysia’s Johor Darul Ta’zim.
Malaysia, the home of the AFC and the default option for playing games on neutral ground, has also imposed a ban on travellers from Hubei on January 27.
The Chinese women’s football team are currently in quarantine in The Westin Brisbane hotel ahead of their Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games qualifiers in Sydney. China’s games had to be rescheduled until after their quarantine period has been completed.

Statement from @FFA regarding MD1 of #ACL2020 and the implications from the travel ban from the Australian Government. pic.twitter.com/1cdrlQ1Cji
— Paul Williams (@PaulWilliams_85) February 2, 2020

None of the 32 players or staff have shown symptoms of the virus.
Aside from the coronavirus outbreak the AFC also had to deal with the ongoing political situation in Iran, where they decided to move Iranian teams games outside the country for the first three match days.


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Hong Kong superstar boxer Rex Tso Sing-yu (red) wins the match against Taiwan's Chiang Yi-hung (blue) as part of the Hong Kong Boxing Championships and UEF Championship at the Southorn Stadium in Wan Chai. 30NOV18 SCMP / Winson Wong

Athletics - IAAF World Indoor Championships 2018 - Arena Birmingham, Birmingham, Britain - March 3, 2018 Christian Coleman of the U.S. celebrates winning the Men's 60m Final Action Images via Reuters/John Sibley

China's Tang Jiali (R) vies for the ball with Taiwan's Chang Chi-lan (L) during the East Asian Football Federation (EAFF) E-1 Football Championship women's match between Taiwan and China in Busan on December 17, 2019. (Photo by Jung Yeon-je / AFP)

Sport

Football

China


Australia has denied entry for foreigners who have travelled to mainland China ahead of Shanghai sides facing A-League teams
Chinese Super League sides also face Japanese and Malaysian clubs, two countries with travel restrictions



Coronavirus travel bans spell chaos for AFC Champions League, as Chinese Super League clubs face Australian opposition.
