United Arab Emirates side Sharjah Sports Club have withdrawn from the Asian Champions League in an effort to avoid relegation from the country's top flight. Sharjah, who qualified via playoffs, informed the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) they were pulling out with two games remaining due to "domestic commitments". The AFC said the club faces sanctions.
"We regret their decision. We must now consider further action according to the regulations," the league's project director, Tokuaki Suzuki, said in a statement.