Mohun Bagan withdraws from AFC Champions League 2 after opting out of Iran match

Indian football club Mohun Bagan Super Giant has been deemed to have withdrawn from the AFC Champions League 2 following their decision not to travel to Iran for a scheduled match against Tractor FC.

The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) confirmed the development on Monday, pending further decisions on the matter.

Citing concerns for the "safety and security" of their players amid the volatile situation in Iran, the Kolkata-based club opted out of the October 2 game.

The AFC released a statement referencing Article 5.2 of the ACL 2 2024/25 competition regulations, confirming Mohun Bagan's withdrawal after failing to show up for the match in Tabriz. The statement also mentioned that all of Mohun Bagan’s prior matches in the group stage would be nullified, meaning no points or goals from those games would count toward the final Group A standings.

Mohun Bagan's players were reportedly unwilling to travel to Iran after the country declared a state of mourning following the death of a prominent Revolutionary Guard general in an Israeli airstrike. In response, the club had requested the AFC to either reschedule the match or move it to a neutral location.

In their first match of Group A, Mohun Bagan played out a goalless draw against FC Ravshan of Tajikistan. However, the team cited safety concerns, with 35 registered players, including seven foreign players, formally expressing their reluctance to travel to Iran at that time.

Mohun Bagan also consulted India's Ministry of External Affairs, which had issued a travel advisory cautioning against travel to Iran or Israel, leaving the decision to individuals' discretion.

The AFC has stated that the matter will now be referred to the appropriate committees for further decisions.