Mohun Bagan SC withdrew from the 2025-26 AFC Champions League 2 after players refused to travel to Iran citing safety concerns; the case is now with AFC and CAS.
Mohun Bagan SC was “considered to have withdrawn” from the 2025–26 AFC Champions League 2 campaign on Tuesday, according to the continental body, after the top Indian team did not show up in Iran for their match against Isfahan. The Indian Super League (ISL) champions Mohun Bagan Super Giants informed PTI on Saturday that they will not be playing Tuesday’s match because their six international players have refused to go to Iran after receiving “advisories from their respective countries.”
“In accordance with Article 5.2 of the AFC Champions League Two 2025/26 Competition Regulations (the ‘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the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) confirms that India’s Mohun Bagan Super Giant are considered to have withdrawn from the AFC Champions League Two 2025/26 competition after the club failed to report to Isfahan, Islamic Republic of Iran, for their Group C fixture against Foolad Mobarakeh Sepahan SC on 30 September 2025.” According to the AFC,
The sport’s continental top authority further stated that the issue would now be presented to the appropriate AFC Committee for a judgment.
Accordingly, the Mohun Bagan Super Giants’ prior game is canceled and deemed void in line with Article 5.6 of the Competition Regulations.
Mohun Bagan Withdraws from AFC Champions League 2 Over Iran Travel Safety Concerns
“For the avoidance of doubt, no points and goals from the club’s previous match shall be taken into consideration when determining the final Group C standings, pursuant to Article 8.3 of the Competition Regulations,” said the AFC.
The AFC also declared the ISL champions “withdrawn” from the continent’s second-tier club competition when Mohun Bagan skipped last year’s trip to Iran to play Tractor SC of Tabriz, claiming player security due to political unrest in the West Asian region.
It was decided collectively not to travel to Iran for the match, according to a club official, following a discussion with all of the players and Indian staff.
In an earlier statement, the club also stated that it had contacted the Court of Arbitration (CAS) in order to protect its interests and assist in resolving the issue.
“The players’, officials’, and support staff’s safety and wellbeing are MBSG’s top priorities. Concerns about traveling to Iran have been voiced by our players and their families,” the club posted on social media.
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“After careful consideration of the government advisories and the potential uncovered risks involved, and upholding the
players’ sentiments, the club has approached the CAS to seek a fair resolution and safeguard its interests,” the club added.