Mohun Bagan Pulls Out of AFC Champions League 2 Amid Iran Safety Concerns
Mohun Bagan has officially withdrawn from the AFC Champions League 2 after six foreign players refused to travel for their away fixture against Sepahan FC in Iran. According to reports, the players cited government advisories from their respective countries as the main reason for opting out.
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Players Decline Iran Trip
The Kolkata-based club was set to fly out on Sunday morning after securing e-visas, but a late-night decision changed everything. Following a meeting with both Indian and overseas players, the management collectively agreed not to travel, prioritising safety over competition.
Safety Concerns in Iran
With the ongoing Iran-Israel conflict, Mohun Bagan officials had sought written assurances from the AFC regarding player security. However, sources revealed that no such guarantees were provided, leaving the club with no choice but to cancel the trip.
Appeal to CAS for Resolution
On Saturday, Mohun Bagan approached the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) to safeguard its interests. The club stated on social media that player safety and family concerns were the driving forces behind this tough decision. They emphasized that government advisories and uncovered risks could not be ignored.
AFC Match Relocation Request
Earlier, the Mariners had requested the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) to shift their September 30 clash against Sepahan FC out of Iran, but the plea was not accepted. The team had already suffered a defeat in their ACL 2 opener against Ahal FK at Kolkata’s Salt Lake Stadium on September 16.
Possible Sanctions Looming
Mohun Bagan now faces the threat of heavy sanctions for failing to appear in the scheduled AFC Champions League match. Such penalties could impact not only the Mariners but also the future participation of other Indian clubs in ACL 2. A similar situation occurred last season when Mumbai City FC were forced to play in Tehran without their key foreign stars.
History of Withdrawals
This isn’t the first time Mohun Bagan has skipped a fixture in Iran. Last year, the club refused to travel to face Tractor SC of Tabriz due to political unrest, and the AFC ruled them withdrawn from the competition. The latest decision adds another chapter to their complicated relationship with fixtures in the West Asian region.
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