Published on : 14/05/2022 – 12:21
This is a disappointment for football fans in China. The Asian Cup which was to be organized in the country in June and July 2023 will not take place, says the Asian Football Confederation this Saturday. A cancellation due to the current Covid resurgence, when several competitions have already been postponed.
With our correspondent in Beijing, Stephane Lagarde
The billboards announcing this Asian Football Cup, white letters on a purple background, were still proudly enthroned this week on the pediment of the old Workers’ Stadium undergoing reconstruction in the heart of Beijing, which, like the brand new Shanghai stadium, was to host the event from June 16 to July 16, 2023.
After long discussions, China therefore waived its right to host the competition, said the statement from the Asian Football Confederation.
BREAKING NEWS: “The Asian Football Confederation has been officially informed by the CFA that it would not be able to host the AFC Asian Cup 2023.” https://t.co/MtdZjPp6Fg
— Mark Dreyer (@DreyerChina) May 14, 2022
Twenty-four teams were to participate in this tournament in ten Chinese cities. A new blow for sports fans here who, with the confinements and semi-confinements of Chinese megacities, have seen all amateur competitions canceled in recent weeks.
After Winter Olympics under bell in Beijing, the international sporting events to be hosted by China are postponed one by one. A week ago, announcement of the indefinite postponement of the Asian Games in Hangzou, initially scheduled for next September. Postponement again of the Asian Youth Games which were to be held in Shantou in December, the same thing for the athletics meetings in Shanghai in July and Shenzhen in August.
China had to notify the Asian Confederation a year before for the event to be rescheduled, but for the moment no indication has been given of a country interested in taking over. This also suggests that the Chinese zero Covid strategy could be maintained next year.
