November 9 – Teams that are unable to travel to Africa Cup of Nations Cameroon 2021 Qualifiers this month will not be given the opportunity to reschedule but will record 2-0 losses.
With calendar dates for AFCON qualification and World Cup 2022 qualification becoming short, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Emergency Committee has put in place measures designed to drive the matches through. AFCON qualification has barely started with match days three and four to be played in the November international window.
“If a team cannot travel to the host country and/or venue of a match due to any travel or other restriction relating to COVID-19, the team in question will be considered to have lost the match 2-0,” said a CAF statement on the qualifying competition emergency rules.
The rules also state that matches must be played if a team has at least 11 players (including a goalkeeper) and four substitutes. If a team doesn’t have the minimum number of players they will forfeit the match 2-0.
The new five substitute rule will also be used in the qualifiers.
CAF has said that all matches must be played behind closed doors, however if a government or national association wants to admit fans to stadia they can do so but only after CAF’s approval.
“The objective of the emergency measures is to supervise the resumption of football on the continent, by defining a plan which places an emphasis on the players and the game. These specific rules may be revised according to developments of the health situation in the world and specifically on the African continent,” said CAF.
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