AFC ExCo okays ACL slots, format

The AFC Executive Committee on Tuesday stamped its approval on the home-and-away final of the AFC Champions League for the next three years and also approved the slot allocation for 2014.

As per the criteria governing the distribution of spots for the premier club competition of the continent, Japan, Korea Republic, Iran and Saudi Arabia will receive four direct slots in the group phase of the competition.

The committee also gave its go-head to play the AFC Champions League on a zonal basis until the semi-finals for the next three years.

The other recommendations of the AFC Competitions Committee and other standing committees were also approved.

At the outset, AFC President Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa presented his report to the members on activities following the last AFC Executive Committee meeting in July.

He informed the members on his visits to Iran, China, Brunei Darussalam, the Philippines and Indonesia and praised the respective Member Associations for the efforts they have put in for the development of the game.

With regards to the issues faced by the Iraq Football Association, he said AFC has zero tolerance policy on government interference and AFC will actively get involved in the process of restoring the Iraq FA administration along side FIFA.

ACL SLOT ALLOCATION FOR 2014

EAST

Japan                –      4

Korea Republic    –      4

China                 -       3+1

Australia            -       2+1

Thailand             -       1+2

Singapore          -       0+1

Hong Kong         -       0+1

Vietnam             -       0+1

WEST

Iran                  -       4

Saudi Arabia       -       4

UAE                   -       3+1

Qatar                -       2+2

Uzbekistan         -       1+2

India                 -       0+1 (India to play in East Zone)

Jordan               -       0+1

Oman                -       0+1

Bahrain              -       0+1

Iraq                  -       0+1

Kuwait               -       0+1