Mohun Bagan kicked out of AFC Champions League Two for refusing to travel to Iran

The Asian Football Confederation booted out Mohun Bagan from the AFC Champions League Two competition for failing to report for an away game in Iran. Mohun Bagan did not travel to Tabriz for a game against Tractor SC on October 2, citing the security situation in the West Asian country.

In Short

• Asian Football Confederation said Mohun Bagan were withdrawn from Champions League Two
• Mohun Bagan refused to travel to Iran for an away game on October 2
• Mohun Bagan cited security reasons for not travelling to the West Asian country

Indian football giants Mohun Bagan have been kicked out of the Asian Football Confederation Champions League Two for not travelling to Iran earlier in October. The AFC confirmed that all matches played by Mohun Bagan in the tournament would be considered null and void.

Mohun Bagan were scheduled to take on the Iran Pro League club, Tractor FC, in Tabriz on October 2. However, the Indian Super League giants did not travel to Iran, citing security reasons amid political unrest and the security situation in Iran.

"In accordance with Article 5.2 of the AFC Champions League Two 2024/25 Competition Regulations (the “Competition Regulations”), the Asian Football Confederation confirms that India’s Mohun Bagan Super Giant are considered to have withdrawn from the AFC Champions League Two competition after the club failed to report to Tabriz, Islamic Republic of Iran, for their AFC Champions League Two Group A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," the AFC said in a statement.

Mohun Bagan had reportedly written to the AFC, explaining their players' unwillingness to travel to Iran and urging the governing body to reschedule the match or move it to a neutral venue.

"Consequently, all matches played by Mohun Bagan Super Giant are 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 in the club’s matches shall be taken into consideration when determining the final rankings in Group A pursuant to Article 8.3 of the Competition Regulations.

"The matter will now be referred to the relevant AFC Committee(s) as appropriate for their decision(s)," it added.

WHY MOHUN BAGAN DID NOT TRAVEL TO IRAN

Mohun Bagan had decided not to travel to Iran before the West Asian country launched a wave of ballistic missile attacks targeting Israel. This attack was in response to Israel's killing of senior leaders of the Axis of Resistance, including Hezbollah's Secretary General Hassan Nasrallah. The missle attack was carried out by Iran on the eve of the AFC Champions League Two match involving Mohun Bagan.

Mohun Bagan played a goalless draw against FC Ravshan of Tajikistan at home on September 18. The Durand Cup runners-up were scheduled to fly from Bengaluru to Iran after completing their Indian Super League match against Bengaluru FC on September 28. However, Mohun Bagan returned home from Bengaluru after their players reportedly said they were not willing to travel to Iran.

"We had our flight tickets booked and the hotel accommodation was also arranged, but we just couldn't risk our players' safety when the country is in a state of mourning," a club source had told PTI news agency earlier in October.

Mohun Bagan were drawn in Group A of the AFC Champions League Two along with FC Ravshan, Tractor SC and Al Wakrah of Qatar.