Mohun Bagan Penalized by AFC for Skipping Iran Match
Published On 18 Dec 2025
The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has imposed sanctions on India’s Mohun Bagan Super Giant for their decision not to travel to Iran for a scheduled Asian Champions League match. This decision has resulted in a significant penalty for the club, including a ban from future AFC competitions and a hefty fine exceeding $100,000.
On Wednesday, the AFC’s disciplinary and ethics committee announced that Mohun Bagan would be banned from the next edition of the Asian competition they qualify for until the 2027-28 season. This ruling came after the club refused to participate in their match against Sepahan SC, citing insufficient security guarantees and inadequate medical insurance in Iran.
Details of the Sanction
In addition to the competition ban, Mohun Bagan faces a fine of $50,000 along with an obligation to pay $50,729 for associated damages and losses incurred by the AFC and Sepahan. The club has also lost any eligibility for financial support related to their participation in this continental tournament.
The decision to withdraw from the group stage match was not taken lightly, as the club expressed concerns for the safety of their players. Following their refusal to go to Iran, the AFC declared the match null and void.
In a bid to seek a resolution, Mohun Bagan approached the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), requesting a relocation of the match to a neutral site. However, their appeal was denied. A senior official from the club commented on the situation, stating, “The players decided they can’t take this risk, where lives and their families’ future are at stake. So we have to stand with them.”
The club’s roster includes players from Australia, Spain, and the United Kingdom, all of whom have received travel advisories against visiting Iran. This concern was echoed previously when Mohun Bagan withdrew from a match against Tractor SC planned for October 2024, following heightened tensions in the region.
As the club weighs its options, there are discussions about appealing the lengthy suspension imposed by the AFC.
- Mohun Bagan fined over $100,000 and banned from AFC competitions.
- The club refused to travel to Iran due to security concerns.
- CAS denied their request to relocate the match to a neutral venue.
- A club official highlighted player safety as the main priority.