Bengaluru FC asked to leave Maldives over Covid protocol breach

Maldives sports minister Ahmed Mahloof asked the ISL to leave the country citing breach of COVID-19 protocols, a charge which the club's owner admitted to be correct. Sports minister Ahmed Mahloof termed it as "unacceptable". This was after reports emerged that some of the club's players were seen on a street at Male in violation of the quarantine rules. Local media reported that BFC players, who had reached Maldives on Friday, were seen on the Male streets, which was not permitted as they were given special permission to be there despite the ban on tourists from India because of a COVID-19 surge. Bangaluru FC owner Parth Jindal on Sunday apologised for the "inexcusable behaviour" of three of their foreign players. Parth Jindal said Bengaluru FC has let down the AFC by breaching the Covid-19 protocols and promised "strictest action" against the offenders. Bengaluru FC are in Male for their AFC Cup play-offs against Club Eagles of the Maldives. Maldives is hosting the play-off match and all the Group D matches as the AFC wanted single venues in view of the Covid-19 pandemic. Bengaluru FC's AFC Cup play-off match against Eagles FC is schedule for May 11.