Adelaide United’s AFC Champions League plans are in disarray after being told they must complete a play-off to compete in the competition.
Adelaide United’s Asian Champions League plans are in disarray after being told they must complete a play-off to compete in the competition.
Adelaide have been informed by the Asian Football Confederation that they must play a one-match play-off against Persipura Jayapura on Thursday night, after the Court of Arbitration for Sport reinstated the Indonesian club’s right to play on February 1.
Adelaide are furious with CAS’ decision, which allegedly completely disregarded the AFC’s case against Persipura.
“This matter should have been handled in the Asia-Pacific not in Lausanne,” Adelaide chairman Greg Griffin told theworldgame website.
“The reason this happened is that all the lawyers working for Persipura are based in Switzerland.”
“This is incredible … a joke and a farce.”
“The only good thing about this whole saga is that we will play the game at home.”
Persipura were originally thrown out of the competition due to their involvement in the rebel Indonesian Super League, which is not recognised by either the Indonesian Football Association or the AFC.
The Papuan-based club is delighted to have a chance to compete in the 2012 ACL.
“The team has been in Jakarta since [Thursday] and we-ve already booked tickets to fly to Adelaide on Monday,” Persipura secretary general Thamrin Sagala told the Jakarta Globe.
The Reds were drawn in Group E two months ago and announced their preliminary squad for the competition on Monday but all their preparation will be wasted if they fail to beat Persipura on Thursday night at Hindmarsh Stadium.
Adelaide originally qualified for an ACL play-off spot after their third-placed finish in last season’s Hyundai A-League.
The match will mean that the Reds are playing three matches in eight days as they face Gold Coast United on Saturday ahead of the clash with Persipura and a home encounter with Sydney FC the following Sunday.
