AFC Hands Multi‑Year Ban to Mohun Bagan for Iran Match No‑Show

Indian football giants Mohun Bagan Super Giant have been banned from all Asian Football Confederation (AFC) competitions until the 2027–28 season after refusing to travel to Iran for a scheduled AFC Champions League Two group‑stage match earlier this year. The decision, announced by the AFC’s Disciplinary and Ethics Committee, also includes financial penalties exceeding $100,000.

Security Concerns Cited for Withdrawal

The controversy stems from Mohun Bagan’s refusal to play their September away fixture against Sepahan SC in Isfahan, Iran. The club informed the AFC that it could not travel due to what it described as inadequate security assurances and insufficient medical insurance coverage for its players and staff.

The AFC deemed the withdrawal a violation of competition regulations. As a result, Mohun Bagan were formally considered to have withdrawn from the tournament, and all their matches in the competition were declared null and void.

Severe Sanctions Imposed

According to the AFC ruling, Mohun Bagan will be excluded from the next edition of any AFC competition for which they qualify, up to and including the 2027–28 season. The club has also been ordered to pay:

• $50,000 in fines, and
• $50,729 in compensation for damages and losses incurred by the AFC and Sepahan SC.

Additionally, the club will forfeit any subsidies or financial support associated with participation in the continental tournament.

Not the First Iran‑Related Withdrawal

This is not the first time Mohun Bagan has declined to travel to Iran. The club reportedly skipped a match against Tractor SC the previous year, citing safety concerns following regional missile activity. That earlier incident had already placed the club under scrutiny within AFC governance circles.

Impact on Indian Football

The ban is a significant setback for one of Asia’s oldest and most storied football institutions. Mohun Bagan, reigning Indian Super League champions, had qualified for the AFC Champions League Two by virtue of their domestic success. Their absence from continental competition for multiple seasons is expected to affect both the club’s sporting ambitions and India’s broader footballing profile.

The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has not yet issued a formal statement on the ruling. However, the AFC has also sanctioned other Indian football entities in recent months, signalling a stricter enforcement posture across the region.

What Comes Next

Mohun Bagan may appeal the decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), as they have done in previous disputes involving international fixtures. For now, the AFC’s ruling stands, leaving the club sidelined from Asian competition for at least two full seasons.