Indian club Mohun Bagan Super Giant faces a ban from AFC competitions until 2027-28 and financial penalties exceeding $400,000 after refusing to travel to Iran for a match, citing safety concerns amid regional tensions.
The Asian Football Confederation imposed the Mohun Bagan AFC ban on Wednesday, 17 December 2025, following the club’s withdrawal from the AFC Champions League Two. This decision highlights escalating geopolitical influences on South Asian sports, potentially limiting Indian teams’ international exposure and affecting fan engagement across the region.
AFC Sanctions Mohun Bagan Over Iran Match
The AFC Disciplinary and Ethics Committee ruled that Mohun Bagan Super Giant breached Article 5 of the AFC Champions League Two regulations by withdrawing after the group stage began. The committee’s decision, numbered VVC 20251217DC21, found the club guilty of failing to fulfil a fixture against Sepahan SC at Naghsh-e-Jahan Stadium in Isfahan, Iran, scheduled for September 2025.
Under the Mohun Bagan AFC ban, the club is excluded from the next AFC competition it qualifies for, with the suspension in force up to the 2027-28 season. The AFC also fined Mohun Bagan $50,000 for the withdrawal. In addition, the club must pay $50,729 in compensation for damages and losses to the AFC and Sepahan SC.
The ruling requires Mohun Bagan to return any disbursed $300,000 participation fee within 30 days. The club forfeits all subsidies, including performance bonuses and travel grants, linked to the 2025-26 season. Combined, these penalties total over $400,000, equivalent to about INR 3.6 crore.
AFC declared all matches involving Mohun Bagan in the tournament null and void. This follows the club’s request to the Court of Arbitration for Sport to relocate the match to a neutral venue, which CAS rejected.
Why Mohun Bagan Banned: Safety and Visa Issues Cited
Mohun Bagan Iran refusal stemmed from concerns over player safety and visa availability. The club cited a lack of security assurances and medical insurance coverage in Iran. Six foreign players, including five from Australia, Spain, and the United Kingdom, declined to travel due to government advisories against visiting Iran.
A senior Mohun Bagan official stated: “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 official added that the club has players from countries where governments advised citizens not to travel to Iran. This marks the second consecutive season of such issues. In 2024, Mohun Bagan refused to play against Tractor SC in Tabriz, Iran, on 2 October, the day after Iran launched ballistic missiles towards Israel. That incident led to withdrawal without further sanctions at the time.
The AFC sanctions Mohun Bagan reflect stricter enforcement this year. The committee viewed the repeated refusals as wrongful withdrawal, breaching competition rules. Mohun Bagan, as Indian Super League champions, had qualified for the AFC Champions League Two, Asia’s second-tier club tournament.
Background
Mohun Bagan Super Giant, based in Kolkata, India, is one of South Asia’s oldest football clubs, founded in 1889. It merged with ATK in 2020 to form the current entity, winning the Indian Super League twice. The club represents India in continental competitions, drawing large fan bases in Bengal and beyond.
The Mohun Bagan Iran refusal ties into broader regional tensions. Iran’s conflicts with Israel and Western nations have prompted travel warnings from Australia, Spain, and the UK. These advisories cite risks from political instability and potential violence. In South Asia, such geopolitical factors rarely disrupt sports, but this case exposes vulnerabilities for Indian teams with international rosters.
Indian football has grown, with clubs like Mohun Bagan investing in foreign talent to compete in Asia. However, the Mohun Bagan AFC ban could deter future signings and strain finances. The All India Football Federation has not issued a public statement on the matter. This silence leaves clubs navigating international risks independently.
The incident also raises questions about AFC’s venue policies. Critics argue the confederation should consider neutral sites for matches in high-risk areas to ensure player safety. Sepahan SC, an Iranian club with a strong domestic record, incurred losses from the cancelled fixture, including stadium preparations and lost revenue.
Impact on Indian Football
The Mohun Bagan AFC ban disrupts the club’s trajectory. As defending Indian Super League champions, Mohun Bagan would likely qualify for future AFC events. The suspension until 2027-28 means at least one missed season, potentially two if qualification timelines align.
Financially, the penalties add pressure. Mohun Bagan’s budget, supported by sponsors and ticket sales, faces a significant shortfall. The club may need to cut costs or seek additional funding. Fans, known for passionate support, expressed disappointment on social media, though no official club response to the ban has surfaced.
In South Asia, this sets a precedent. Pakistani and Bangladeshi clubs occasionally face similar travel issues due to regional politics. The AFC sanctions Mohun Bagan could influence how federations handle future refusals, balancing competition integrity with safety.
Broader implications include strained India-Iran sports ties. Football exchanges between the nations are limited, but this Mohun Bagan Iran refusal highlights how global conflicts spill into athletics. Indian government advisories on Iran travel remain neutral, focusing on general caution rather than bans.
What’s Next
Mohun Bagan is considering an appeal against the suspension, according to club sources. Any challenge would likely go back to CAS or AFC appeals bodies. If upheld, the club focuses on domestic leagues like the Indian Super League and Durand Cup.
The AFC may review its regulations to address security concerns in hosting decisions. For Indian football, the episode underscores the need for better support from the All India Football Federation in international matters.
Meanwhile, Sepahan SC advances in the tournament without the forfeited match. The Mohun Bagan AFC ban serves as a warning to other clubs about withdrawal consequences.The Mohun Bagan AFC ban underscores the challenges of blending sports with geopolitics in South Asia.
Published in SouthAsianDesk, December 19th, 2025
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