Mohun Bagan, one of India’s top teams, refused to travel to Iran to play their AFC Champions League 2 game fixture against Tractor SC, based out of Tabriz. They cited the ongoing tensions in the middle-east as a reason to not travel to the country the AFC, who were having none of it, has kicked Mohun Bagan out completely.
Mohun Bagan, winners of the ISL Shield in 2024, qualified for the AFC Challenge 2, and hoped to make a mark against some of Asia’s best team.
They got drawn in a group with Tractor, Al-Wakrah, and Ravshan. However, as it turns out, they won’t take part in any games.
A statement released by the AFC “confirms that Indiaβs Mohun Bagan Super Giant are considered to have withdrawn from the AFC Champions League Two competition after the club failed to report to Tabriz, Islamic Republic of Iran, for their AFC Champions League Two Group A fixture against Tractor FC on October 2, 2024.”Β
This means that Mohun Bagan will finish last in their group, bringing their Asian adventure to an end before it even began.
“ππ’π¬ π¬πππ ππ¨ π©π₯ππ² π’π§ ππ«ππ§”
Spineless AFC for you π°π€ pic.twitter.com/Fi6o4VIxev
β Mohun Bagan Hub (@MohunBaganHub) October 7, 2024
Mohun Bagan announced that they wouldn’t travel to Tabriz after the death of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in Lebanon, following which Iran attacked Israel.
In solidarity with the players of Mohun Bagan SG #AFC #MohunBagan #IndianFootball pic.twitter.com/9q0oLBTpBM
β PFA India (@FPAI) October 8, 2024
The Kolkata-based club had the overwhelming support of the Indian footballing community on making this decision, and AFC’s total ban baffled many.
Mohun Bagan may have been banned for now, but they wonβt go down without a fight. The club, along with its fans and Indian football authorities, believes the ban is unjust and has decided to appeal to the AFC Appeal Committee.
Renowned Indian journalist Marcus Mergulhao reported that Mohun Bagan plans to submit the appeal on Wednesday or Thursday, stating that the club “believes they have a genuine force majeure case.”
Mohun Bagan will lodge an appeal with AFC Appeal Committee within the next 24-48 hours. Bagan believes they have a genuine force majeure case after they were considered to have withdrawn from AFC Champions League Two, for their refusal to travel to Iran due to security concerns.
β Marcus Mergulhao (@MarcusMergulhao) October 7, 2024
The verdict could determine whether Mohun Bagan competes in Asia this season. Even if the AFC Appeal Committee rules against them, the club may escalate the matter to higher authorities, possibly even FIFA.
For now, however, the club will the focusing on the big gameβagainst local rivals East Bengal, who have had a woeful start to the 2024/25 ISL season, losing four out of four games.
Mohun Bagan has had a comparatively better start, and are fourth in the table, with two wins, a draw and a defeat.
