The Southeast Asian Futsal Championship (AFF Futsal Championship) 2021 which is scheduled to kick off in Thailand on November 8 is now at extremely high risk of cancellation after the host nation’s doping-related scandals.

As reported by The Nation (Thailand) daily, Thailand along with North Korea and Indonesia have been declared non-compliant by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). Particularly, the National Anti-Doping Agency of Thailand has failed to fully implement the 2021 Anti-Doping Code.

The declaration of non-compliance means the three countries are ineligible for hosting regional, continental or world championships. Also, Thai, North Korean and Indonesian representatives will also not be allowed to sit at boards or committees until their countries have been reinstated or for one year, whichever is longer.

With this penalty, Thailand is not allowed to host the AFF Futsal Championship 2021. Therefore, the much-anticipated sporting event will again be canceled after being postponed last year due to the impact of COVID-19, which will affect the region's national futsal teams in qualifying for the Asian Futsal Championship 2022.

As a general rule, the AFC Futsal Championships held in odd-numbered years are considered qualifying rounds to select the three best national futsal teams in Southeast Asia to advance to the final round of the Asian Futsal Championship in the following year.

Viet Nam’s national futsal team claimed bronze medal at the AFF Futsal Championship 2019, whilst the Thailand team were crowned champions for the 15^th time after defeating Indonesia in the final. As a result, the three national teams will represent Southeast Asia in the final round of the Asian Futsal Championship 2022.

Reporting by NGUYEN AN - Translating by M.D