Bengaluru FC granted AFC Cup playoff spot

Bengaluru FC will feature in the AFC Cup play-off next year, while FC Goa will play in the AFC Champions League group stage and ATK Mohun Bagan in the AFC Cup group stage.

Published : Jun 04, 2020 20:25 IST

Bengaluru FC was eliminated in the preliminary qualifying play-offs stage in the 2020 edition.
Bengaluru FC was eliminated in the preliminary qualifying play-offs stage in the 2020 edition.
lightbox-info

Bengaluru FC was eliminated in the preliminary qualifying play-offs stage in the 2020 edition.

The AIFF, on Thursday, announced Bengaluru FC (BFC) as India’s third team in the 2021 AFC continental club competitions. The side will feature in the AFC Cup play-off next year, while FC Goa will play in the AFC Champions League group stage and ATK Mohun Bagan in the AFC Cup group stage.

The play-off slot was originally reserved for the winner of the ISL play-offs. ATK emerged on top, but after its agreement to form a joint venture with I-League winner Mohun Bagan, the Kolkata entity chose the direct entry into the group stage secured by the latter.

In such a scenario, the play-off position should have gone to the runner-up in the ISL league phase. Since ATK was the runner-up, BFC, which finished third, earned the honour. The decision by the AIFF means that all three Asia spots reserved for Indian sides for 2021 have gone to ISL clubs.

Sign in to unlock all user benefits
  • Get notified on top games and events
  • Save stories to read later
  • Access to comment on every story
  • Sign up / manage to our newsletters with a single click
  • Get notified by email for early bird access to discounts & offers to our products
Sign in

Comments

Comments have to be in English, and in full sentences. They cannot be abusive or personal. Please abide to our community guidelines for posting your comment