Due to concerns over the deadly COVID-19 ”coronavirus”, the Asian Football Confederation has postponed all cup matches due to be played in East Asia until April.

PM NEWS recalls that the viral disease has killed more than 1,000 people in China, with more than 40,000 cases diagnosed worldwide. This development has made several countries impose travel restrictions aimed at preventing the spread of the virus.

The AFC Cup preliminary, play-off, and group-stage matches will now be played from the 7th of April, 2020.

The AFC Champions League has also been affected, with matches featuring Chinese clubs delayed until spring.

The AFC said: “Taking into consideration the overall logistical arrangements as well as match preparations of the East Zone participating clubs, the AFC has decided that the AFC Cup 2020 (East Zone) will be postponed.”

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Vietnam had already cancelled all sporting events in February because of the virus and forced the AFC to change the dates of home games for Vietnamese clubs.

The Women’s World Golf Championship in Singapore and the LPGA Thailand event have also been cancelled because of concerns about the epidemic.