A major shock occurred in the AFC Champions League

30/09/2025 06:25:00 VictoryVox

The Indian champions Mohun Bagan have chosen not to head to Iran for their group stage clash with Sepahan SC in the AFC Champions League Two, as six of their foreign players declined to travel over safety fears.

The match between Sepahan and Mohun Bagan was scheduled for September 30 in Isfahan, Iran. However, following an emergency meeting with the coaching staff and all players, Mohun Bagan announced they would not make the trip. The reason being that six foreign players from Australia, England, Spain, and Brazil collectively refused to play after receiving security warnings from their respective governments regarding the situation in Iran.

A club official confirmed: “We prioritize the safety of our players and their families. This decision was made collectively after evaluating potential risks and government advisories.”. This means Mohun Bagan could be handed a 0-3 loss and even face disqualification from the tournament, as per AFC regulations, teams that fail to appear are subject to forfeiture and additional penalties.

Sepahan SC quickly responded, stating that all documentation and entry visas had been fully granted to the Mohun Bagan delegation, with no obstacles from Iran’s side. However, the AFC has yet to issue an official statement on the matter.

If they fail to appear, Mohun Bagan risks a 0-3 forfeit loss and elimination from the competition

Notably, this is not the first time Mohun Bagan has faced issues in Iran. In the 2024/25 season, the team refused to travel to Tabriz to face Tractor SC. As a result, the AFC declared Mohun Bagan had “withdrawn” from the tournament, leading to their disqualification and loss of their spot. This scenario is likely to repeat if the AFC does not accept the reasons presented by the Indian side.

In their latest statement, Mohun Bagan announced they will take the case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) to seek a fair resolution. The club emphasized: “We prioritize the safety and health of our players, coaching staff, and personnel. The players and their families are concerned about traveling to Iran, and we must consider this safety request seriously.”.

Indian media also recalled a similar precedent with Mumbai City FC, who played in Tehran without their key foreign players. Mohun Bagan’s case thus sparks even more controversy, as a second consecutive withdrawal would severely damage the reputation of Indian football on the continental stage.

While the AFC has yet to make a final decision, the likelihood of Mohun Bagan being handed a forfeit loss, disqualified, and facing further sanctions is very high. This is certainly one of the most significant incidents in this season’s AFC Champions League.

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