Mohun Bagan Super Giant were scheduled to face Iran’s Sepahan SC in an AFC Champions League Two group-stage match in September. However, due to issues related to foreign players, the club refused to travel to Iran. As a result of skipping the match against Sepahan, the Green and Maroon brigade is now facing the consequences of that decision.
AFC’s decision
The Asian Football Confederation’s (AFC) Disciplinary and Ethics Committee strongly criticised the ISL champions for refusing to travel to Iran to play the group-stage match against Sepahan SC in September. Following this, Mohun Bagan SG have been declared disqualified by the AFC. In addition, the club has been banned from participating in AFC club competitions for the next two seasons, up to the 2027–28 season.
Along with the ban, Mohun Bagan have been fined at least USD 100,729. Of this amount, USD 50,729 has been claimed as compensation by the AFC and Sepahan SC.
Reason behind the punishment
Mohun Bagan had cited the non-availability of visas for foreign players as the reason for not travelling. The Green and Maroon management was unwilling to travel to Iran with only Indian players. The club also raised security concerns, but the AFC did not accept those explanations. As a result, the continental body took a strict stance and imposed exemplary punishment on the Kolkata-based club.
