The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has changed the order of home matches to be played by Chinese clubs in the AFC Champions League group stage due to the outbreak of a new coronavirus in the country, Asian soccer’s governing body said on Wednesday. The move follows consultation with the Chinese Football Association (CFA) and means that home games of the four Chinese clubs on the first three match days will be rescheduled and played away by swapping the order with their opponents. Chinese Super League champions Guangzhou Evergrande will travel to Suwon Bluewings on Feb. 12. The AFC added it will monitor the situation before deciding further on the home matches of Chinese clubs on the next three match days. Shanghai SIPG entered the group stage by winning a playoff match against Thai side Buriram United, a match played behind closed doors on Tuesday to reduce chances of infection.

Source: National Post January 29, 2020 07:30 UTC