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Mohun Bagan Super Giant had said that they pulled out of a fixture after their six foreign players declined to travel to Iran.
MBSG has approached the CAS to seek a fair resolution. (PTI Photo)
Mohun Bagan SC was “considered to have withdrawn” from the 2025-26 AFC Champions League Two competition by the continental body on Tuesday, after the top Indian club failed to show up in Iran for their match against Sepahan SC.
Indian Super League (ISL) champions Mohun Bagan Super Giant informed PTI on Saturday that they pulled out of the fixture scheduled for Tuesday after their six foreign players declined to travel to Iran due to “advisories from their respective countries.”
“In accordance with Article 5.2 of the AFC Champions League Two 2025/26 Competition Regulations (the ‘Competition Regulations’), the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) confirms that India’s Mohun Bagan Super Giant are considered to have withdrawn from the AFC Champions League Two 2025/26 competition after the club failed to report to Isfahan, Islamic Republic of Iran, for their Group C fixture against Foolad Mobarakeh Sepahan SC on 30 September 2025,” the AFC said in a statement.
The matter will now be referred to the relevant AFC Committee for the appropriate decision, the sport’s continental apex body added.
“Consequently, the previous match played by Mohun Bagan Super Giant is cancelled and considered null and void in accordance with Article 5.6 of the Competition Regulations. For the avoidance of doubt, no points and goals from the club’s previous match shall be taken into consideration when determining the final Group C standings, pursuant to Article 8.3 of the Competition Regulations,” the AFC said.
Similarly, when Mohun Bagan didn’t travel to Iran to face Tractor SC of Tabriz last year, citing player security amid political tension in the West Asian region, the AFC deemed the ISL champions “withdrawn” from the continent’s second-tier club competition.
Earlier, after a meeting involving all the players and Indian staff, a club official stated that a collective decision was made not to travel to Iran for the match.
The team members were scheduled to fly out of the country to Iran on Sunday morning after the players and support staff were issued e-visas.
In a previous statement, the club also mentioned it had approached the Court of Arbitration (CAS) to safeguard its interests and help resolve the matter.
“MBSG prioritises the safety and well-being of its players, officials and support staff. Our players and their families have expressed concern over travel to Iran,” the club said on its social media handle.
“After careful consideration of the government advisories and the potential uncovered risks involved, and upholding the players’ sentiments, the club has approached the CAS to seek a fair resolution and safeguard its interests,” the club added.
With PTI Inputs
Feroz Khan has been covering sports for over 12 years now and is currently working with Network18 as Principal Correspondent. He embarked on his journey in 2011 and has since acquired vast experience in digital…Read More
Feroz Khan has been covering sports for over 12 years now and is currently working with Network18 as Principal Correspondent. He embarked on his journey in 2011 and has since acquired vast experience in digital… Read More
September 30, 2025, 11:53 IST
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