Myanmar football teams withdraw from tournaments again

Myanmar football teams withdraw from tournaments again

Two Myanmar football teams have pulled out of Asian tournaments for the second year running, officials said Wednesday, as the country faces ongoing turmoil after last year's coup.

The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) said Shan United FC withdrew from the AFC Champions League, while Hantharwady United FC pulled out of the AFC Cup.

The Champions League is Asia's top club tournament, while the AFC Cup is a second-tier club competition.

Hantharwady had been drawn in Group I for the AFC Cup, while Shan United were to take part in the preliminary stage of the Champions League.

No reason was given for the withdrawals, and there was no announcement on which teams would replace them.

Both teams pulled out of the same tournaments last year.

Myanmar has been gripped by violence since a coup in February last year ousted Aung San Suu Kyi's civilian government.

More than 1,400 civilians have since been killed in a military crackdown on dissent, according to a local monitoring group.

More news from Mizzima
May 6, 2026
Military junta forces and associated Pyu Saw Htee militias carried out at least 30 arbitrary...
May 5, 2026
Residents and traders in Myingyan Township, Mandalay Region, are facing severe economic hardship...
May 4, 2026
Uncertainty continues to surround the condition and whereabouts of State Counsellor Aung San Suu...
May 1, 2026
Revolutionary forces have successfully captured the Aung Chan Thar village camp in Sagaing...