Neither FIFPRO nor our affiliated player associations in Australia, Japan, Malaysia, Thailand and South Korea – which together represent players from 12 of the 16 competing clubs - were asked about the competition for the eastern AFC region prior to the announcement. Furthermore, we have not received any information about the outbreak of COVID-19 in the tournament’s so-called “medical bubble” during the western AFC region competition in September.
Players due to compete in the three-week competition in Qatar from Nov. 18 have expressed concerns to their national player associations about travelling during the pandemic and having to face a two-week quarantine period on their return that will keep them apart from their families, or interfere with their participation in domestic championships and training.
