Macau first entered AFC Asian Cup qualification in 1980, winning their first international match against Philippines by 2–1 at Tokyo National Stadium.

It is the second time in just two years that the club has been barred from participating in the AFC Cup on account of an administrative error.

Duartes further complained that he thinks that the Macau FA is simply focused on fulfilling whatever is required to get the FIFA and AFC subsidies – for example, having the various league echelons.

[2] On 27 June 2019, the FIFA Disciplinary Committee sanctioned the Macau Football Association for failing to play the second leg of their first-round match against Sri Lanka in the AFC’s 2022 FIFA World Cup preliminary competition, due to be played on 11 June 2019.

FIFA declared a 3–0 forfeit victory for Sri Lanka, with the Macau Football Association also receiving a fine of CHF 10,000.