The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has on Monday confirmed that the AFC Cup 2021 Playoff and Group Stage - South matches will be held in the Maldives. 

While the playoff match between Club Eagles and India's Bengaluru FC is scheduled for August 15, the winners will join India’s ATK Mohun Bagan FC, Maldives' Maziya Sports & Recreation, and Bangladesh's Bashundhara Kings in Group D.

These Group D matches are to be held in the Maldives as well. The matches will be held across three match days on August 18, 21 and 24, with the eventual group leaders advancing to the single-leg Inter Zone Semi-final.

While Maldives first won the bid to host the matches in March 2021, these matches scheduled for May were cancelled after some players of Bengaluru FC breached the country's Covid-19 safety protocols ahead of the playoff game against Eagles.

Sports Minister Ahmed Mahloof made the decision to not hold the match after three players from the Indian club were seen roaming the streets when they were under direct instruction to remain isolated unless for trainings or matches. Mahloof had written to AFC, asking to take action against the team.

Highlighting the seriousness of the issue, AFC in a statement announced the decision to postpone the matches.

Maldives had also won the host the Group E games in the AFC Cup 2020, however, these matches were cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic.