Kolkata: Mohun Bagan SG’s campaign in the inaugural AFC Champions League Two is over after just one match.
The Asian Football Confederation (AFC), the game’s continental governing body, confirmed on Monday that the city team has been disqualified from the tournament after its refusal to travel to Iran for a group- stage match against Tabriz-based Tractor SC highlighting security concerns.
TOI had reported last week that Bagan’s move might invite a strong punishment from the AFC.
“In accordance with Article 5.2 of AFC Champions League 2 2024/25 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the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) confirms that India’s Mohun Bagan Super Giant are considered to have withdrawn from the AFC Champions League Two competition after the club failed to report to Tabriz, Islamic Republic of Iran, for their AFC Champions League Two Group A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 Kuala Lumpur-based association said in a statement.
As a consequence, the club’s matches in the competition now stand invalid.
“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 AFC further noted.
Bagan had earlier expressed their unwillingness to travel to Iran, citing players’ safety following the prevailing volatile situation in the region, and sought clarity from the AFC. They also requested the governing body to “reschedule” the match or move it to an alternate venue.
Bagan’s 35 registered players, including seven foreigners, also wrote to the club voicing concerns over their security if they were allowed to travel to Iran.
The AFC will now refer Mohun Bagan’s matter to the continental body’s relevant committees for further decisions.
Mohun Bagan debuted in the ACL Two with a 0-0 draw with Tajikistan’s FC Ravshan at the Salt Lake Stadium on Sept 18. The match at Tractor FC would have been their second one in the group.