The China Volleyball Association has apologised after the national women's team wore N95 masks in their Asian Cup match against Iran on Thursday.

The players wore masks in the first set, which China lost 24-26. They then removed their masks and won the next three sets to emerge 3-1 winners.

The China Volleyball Association said some of the players had displayed symptoms of Covid-19, so it required them to wear a mask while entering the PhilSports Arena in the Philippine city of Pasig.

The association also said there were no clear guidelines on whether players should wear a mask during competition, and they removed their masks after the first set over concerns about their well-being.

The association promised to better co-ordinate its infection-control efforts in future.