AFC Cup 2019 final to be played in Shanghai

Kuala Lumpur, Oct 22, 2019: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has decided today that the AFC Cup 2019 final between DPR Korea’s 4.25 SC and Al Ahed from Lebanon, scheduled to take place on November 2, 2019 in Pyongyang will now be played in Shanghai.

Due to the existing sanctions in place affecting DPR Korea, the AFC has been advised by its Commercial Rights Partners of the challenges in enabling among other matters, the production and broadcast delivery of the Final match, which is one of the most eagerly anticipated events in the AFC’s club calendar (AFC Cup 2019 final/AFC Cup 2019 final).

One of the key objectives in the AFC’s Vision and Mission is to foster development and promotion of football and to ensure the game is available to all in the Continent and beyond, which is also outlined in Article 2 of the AFC Statutes.

In keeping with its objectives, the AFC, after careful consideration of the challenges affecting the commercial, broadcasting, media, accessibility and logistical arrangements, is compelled to assign the Final Match to be played in a neutral venue.

Shanghai established as the host venue due to its ease of access and after the Chinese Football Association confirmed their willingness to stage the Final Match for the AFC.

Both clubs and Member Associations have been informed of the AFC’s decision.

The kick-off time sets for 17.00 local time and host stadium for the final will confirm in due course.

The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) is the governing body of Asian football and one of the six Confederations making up FIFA.

Formed in 1954 in Manila on the sidelines of the second Asian Games, the AFC was sanctioned by FIFA in Berne, Switzerland on June 21 of that year.

The AFC is now headquartered in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and consists of 46 Member Associations and one Associate Member Association (The Northern Mariana Islands). Led by the AFC President Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa of Bahrain, the AFC launched its Vision and Mission on January 28, 2016 in Doha, Qatar, setting out its ambitions of being the world’s leading Confederation as well as having more successful Asian teams on the world stage and confirming football as the number one sport in the continent.

The new Vision and Mission tagline – One Asia, One Goal – signifies the core values of unity professionalism and leadership.

In addition to developing and regulating the game, upholding the integrity and laws of the game, boosting grassroots and youth football and conducting top-level competitions, the AFC also works closely with its Member Associations and key stakeholders to bring to life its objectives under its Vision and Mission. —- AFC