DOHA – All ticket revenue from the Asian Cup semi-finals on Tuesday will be donated to help flood victims in Australia, Sri Lanka and Thailand, organisers said.
A joint statement by Asian Football Confederation (AFC) president Mohamed Bin Hammam and Qatar Football Association (QFA) chief Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Bin Ahmed Al Thani said the flooding had been tragic. “Our thoughts and wishes go to all those who suffer in our fellow Asian nations of Australia, Thailand and Sri Lanka, recently struck by flooding and national disasters,” it said.
“It is the joint decision of the AFC, the QFA and the organising committee of the Asian Cup to offer the proceeds of the semi-final matches of the AFC Asian Cup to a disaster relief fund in order to help those affected.
“Our condolences are offered to those who have lost their loved ones during these tragic events.”
The semi-finals see Japan face South Korea at the Al Gharafa Stadium, while Australia play Uzbekistan at the Khalifa Stadium. Recent flooding across Australia has wrought unprecedented damage with at least 20 people dead, while more than one million people have been affected by monsoon floods in Sri Lanka, with some 43 people perishing.
In Thailand, thousands of people were affected by floods in the south this month.
