Indian football club Mohun Bagan banned, fined for refusing to play in Iran
The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has banned Indian football club Mohun Bagan Super Giant from all AFC competitions and imposed a fine exceeding $100,000 after the club refused to play a scheduled match in Iran.
According to an official statement, the AFC disciplinary and ethics committee ruled that Mohun Bagan violated competition regulations by failing to travel for an Asian Champions League Two group-stage match against Iranian side Sepahan in September. As a result, the club has been barred from participating in the next edition of the continental second-tier tournament, with the ban extending until the 2027–28 season.
The decision marks a significant setback for one of Asia’s oldest football institutions. Mohun Bagan has also been fined $50,000 and ordered to pay an additional $50,729 as compensation for damages and losses incurred by both the AFC and Sepahan, bringing the total financial penalty to more than $100,000.
The club had cited concerns over security arrangements and the absence of adequate medical insurance coverage as reasons for refusing to travel to Iran. However, the AFC rejected these justifications, ruling that the refusal constituted a breach of tournament obligations.
Following the no-show, Mohun Bagan was officially withdrawn from the competition, and all of its group-stage matches were declared null and void by the continental governing body.
Earlier, the Indian club had approached the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), requesting that the match be relocated to a neutral venue due to safety concerns. The appeal was rejected, clearing the way for disciplinary action by the AFC.
This was not the first time Mohun Bagan avoided travel to Iran. Last year, the club also skipped a fixture against Tractor SC, a day after Iran launched missile strikes toward Israel, further intensifying security apprehensions.
The ruling highlights the AFC’s firm stance on enforcing competition commitments, regardless of geopolitical or security concerns, unless officially recognised by governing bodies.
The Indian football club banned in Iran case is expected to spark debate across Asian football circles, particularly regarding player safety, travel risks, and the responsibilities of clubs competing in international tournaments.
