8 october 2024 : Mohun Bagan Super Giant is consulting legal experts and plans to appeal to the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) after the governing body ruled that the Kolkata club withdrew from the AFC Champions League 2 due to security concerns. The club had failed to travel to Tabriz, Iran, for a match against Tractor FC.
A club official stated, “This decision is one-sided, and we are seeking legal advice,” while requesting anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the matter.
Mohun Bagan had requested either a postponement or relocation of the match after 35 players submitted an undertaking refusing to travel because of the escalating conflict in West Asia.
The AFC’s official statement confirmed that Mohun Bagan was considered to have withdrawn from the competition, as they did not report to Tabriz for the October 2 match. As a result, all their matches have been canceled, and no points or goals will be counted in the group standings.
Mohun Bagan’s only game in the competition so far was a 0-0 draw against Tajikistan’s FC Ravshan on September 18, with Qatar’s Al-Wakrah completing the four-team group.
A club official reiterated that player safety was their top priority, especially since the Indian Ministry of External Affairs had issued an advisory stating travel to Iran and Israel was at one’s own risk. Mohun Bagan went on to win 3-0 against Mohammedan Sporting in the Indian Super League on Saturday and are currently fourth in the standings with seven points from four games.
