QSL
The Qatar Stars League (QSL) has amended the schedule for the remaining rounds of 2020-21 season QNB Stars League. The following decisions have been taken:
The Week 18 matches were rescheduled, to be held over three days (6th, 7th and 8th March, 2021), taking into account the clubs’ participation in the 2021 Amir Cup quarterfinals.
Al Wakrah’s match against Al Gharafa in Week 21 has been preponed to 16th March, 2021, due to Al Gharafa’s AFC Champions League play-off against Uzbek club FC AGMK on 7th April.
Dates of matches in the last three rounds (Weeks 20, 21 and 22) of QNB Stars League have been revised after the AFC confirmed the dates for the group stage of 2021 AFC Champions League (14th to 30th April). The dates and venues of QNB Stars League games will be finalised later, taking into account the teams’ positions in the standings and in line with the QSL’s policy of giving equal opportunities to all clubs.
In this regard, Mr. Ahmed Khellil Abbassi, Vice-Chairman of Qatar Football Association’s Competitions Committee and Executive Director of Competitions and Football Development at the QSL, said, “The recent amendments to the league’s schedule will witness a necessary period of suspension in March and April. It’ll be an ideal preparatory time for the players of our first national team before they play in the European qualifiers for the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar in addition to the participation of our clubs in the AFC Champions League after the AFC announced its new dates, which’ll be held during the period from 14th to 30th April."
Mr. Abbassi said. “If the AFC Champions League matches are not held as scheduled in April, as the AFC has announced, then the 2020-21 football season will end on 30th April, as we announced previously.”
Mr. Abbassi explained, “Co-ordination and consultations are presently under way with all parties concerned in order to organize a tournament, where QNB Stars League and Second Division clubs will compete during the league’s break in April, but without the Qatari clubs competing in the AFC Champions League. This tournament will be planned in such a way that the players and clubs are not adversely affected by the duration of the break, which will last around a month, and with the aim of making players remain fully prepared for the resumption of QNB Stars League. The interest of clubs and players remains our primary concern, especially since we’re all moving in one direction of taking Qatar football further forward.”