The ongoing Qatar crisis looks like it may bleed into the 2018 AFC Champions League’s group stages after several teams from the nation were yesterday drawn against rival clubs from the UAE and Saudi Arabia.
The latter-mentioned countries, Bahrain, Egypt, Yemen and the Maldives all summarily severed relations with the Doha government in June because of its alleged support for terrorism.
This has forced strain on relations between the nations at all levels, with further discord caused last week when the Asian Football Confederation rejected pleas to play potential matches between clubs from the opposing blocs at neutral venues.
After Wednesday’s ceremony in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, all four Emirati outfits could play Qatari opposition.
AFC Champions League 2018 #ACL2018 #ACLDraw #Guangzhou #Evergrande #China #NeverGiveUp pic.twitter.com/z1XLh8SD0E
— Fabio Cannavaro (@fabiocannavaro) December 6, 2017
The guaranteed meetings are between President’s Cup holders Al Wahda and the merged Al Duhail in Group B, plus 2016/17 Arabian Gulf League runners-up Al Wasl against Xavi’s Al Sadd in Group C.
If they beat Bahrain’s Malkiya in January 30’s play-off, Al Ain will compete against Michael Laudrup’s Al Rayyan in Group D. AGL champions Al Jazira could run-out against Al Gharafa in Group A if they see off Uzbekistan’s Pakhtakor.
