UAE, Palestine added to Asian Games football after mix-up

The United Arab Emirates and Palestine were on Wednesday officially added to the football tournament at the Asian Games after they were accidentally omitted from the original draw.

Published : Jul 25, 2018 15:48 IST , Kuala Lumpur

The Asian Football Confederation conducted a limited re-draw at its headquarters in Kuala Lumpur to include the two sides, alongside 24 others taking part in football at the Asian Games, which begins next month. (Representational Image)
The Asian Football Confederation conducted a limited re-draw at its headquarters in Kuala Lumpur to include the two sides, alongside 24 others taking part in football at the Asian Games, which begins next month. (Representational Image)
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The Asian Football Confederation conducted a limited re-draw at its headquarters in Kuala Lumpur to include the two sides, alongside 24 others taking part in football at the Asian Games, which begins next month. (Representational Image)

The United Arab Emirates and Palestine were on Wednesday officially added to the football tournament at the Asian Games after they were accidentally omitted from the original draw.

The Asian Football Confederation conducted a limited re-draw at its headquarters in Kuala Lumpur to include the two sides, alongside 24 others taking part in football at the Games, which begins next month.

AFC secretary-general Windsor John said that the Games organisers failed to pass the names of UAE and Palestine to his body for the initial draw, even though both teams had attempted to register.

READ: Football fans damage Asian Games stadium

John said that he was not sure what caused the problem, adding “it could be some computer glitch, it could be some communication breakdown”.

He stressed that the AFC was not running the competition and was conducting the draw on behalf of the Olympic Council of Asia and the Indonesian organising committee.

Eris Herryanto, secretary-general of the Indonesian committee, said that the two sides had not properly followed the registration procedures.

ALSO READ: AIFF condemns IOA’s decision to exclude football teams from Asiad contingent

“They did something wrong. For example, if they registered a person more than they should have had, that won't go into the system,” he said.

Palestine was placed in Group A with Indonesia, Hong Kong, Laos and Taiwan. The UAE was placed in Group E with South Korea, Kyrgyzstan, Malaysia and Bahrain.

It was the latest problem to hit the run-up to the Games, which is being held in Palembang and the capital Jakarta from August 18-September 2.

ALSO READ: IOA sticks to original selection criteria for Asian Games

At the weekend, irate Indonesian football fans ripped plastic seats from the stands and hurled them onto a pitch at a stadium in Palembang scheduled to host matches at the Games.

Indonesia has been scrambling to prepare venues, finish building work, widen roads and ease traffic congestion. About 11,000 athletes and 5,000 officials from 45 Asian countries will take part in the world's biggest multi-sports event after the Olympics.

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