 "Mohun Bagan will not be travelling to Iran due to a security threat to the players. Image: PTI")
Indian football club Mohun Bagan Super Giant’s decision not to travel to Iran for an AFC Champions League Two fixture against Tractor SC has proved to be the right decision in the end despite social media criticism and the danger of punishment from the Asian Football Confederation (AFC). The Indian Super League club from India was scheduled to play against Tractor SC in their Group A match on Wednesday in Tabriz, in the northwestern region of Iran, however, Mohun Bagan decided against it amid security concerns in the country.
They were proven correct on Tuesday evening as Iran launched ballistic missiles at Israel after the latter assassinated Hassan Nasrallah, leader of Tehran’s ally Hezbollah. Israel has vowed to retaliate and the situation in West Asia is only expected to become worse. In such a scenario it was a wise call by the Indian football club Mohun Bagan to not travel to Iran even though they could face a ban and also experienced ridicule on social media.
AFC decision on ban to be out soon
As per reports, Mohun Bagan could face a fine or even ban from the Asian Football Confederation for refusing to travel for the Champions League Two competition. Officially, the AFC on Tuesday said that the matter will be referred to the relevant AFC Committees and the decision will declared soon.
“The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has taken note of Mohun Bagan Super Giant’s intentions not to travel to the Islamic Republic of Iran for the club’s AFC Champions League Two™ 2024/25 Group A fixture against Tractor SC, which is scheduled to take place on October 2, 2024, at the Yadegar Imam Stadium in Tabriz,” AFC said in a statement.
“The matter will be referred to the relevant AFC Committees with further updates to be communicated in due course.”
As per a report, Mohun Bagan had requested AFC to “reschedule” the match or give an “alternative” venue for a later date due to the threat to their security.
“We have decided to not travel to Iran keeping our players’ safety and security in mind, because that is paramount. We have also written to the ministry of external affairs as their advisory states that you can go to Iran or Israel on your own responsibility,” the source added.
“We had our flight tickets booked and the hotel accommodation was also arranged, but we just couldn’t risk our players’ safety when the country is in a state of mourning.”
Tractor SC mocks Mohun Bagan
This, however, didn’t stop Persian Gulf Pro League team Tractor SC from mocking the Indian football club. In a distasteful message on Facebook, the club wrote: “India’s Mohun Bagan club is doing its best not to come to Tabriz and Azerbaijan. According to what they say, losing 3-0 on penalty kicks is better than being humiliated 10-0 in a stadium with 100,000 people.”
Even AFC vice president and the president of the Iran Football Federation (IFF), Mehdi Taj, has threatened Bagan of striction and also listed out possible penalties they can face.
List of possible penalties:
$50,000 fine
Disqualification from AFC Champions League Two
Ban from at least one edition of all Asian club-level competitions
Mohun Bagan Super Giant played out a goalless draw against Tajikistan’s FC Ravshan in their first match of the tournament, while Tractor SC are at the top of Group A having beaten Qatar’s Al-Wakrah SC.
All eyes are now on the AFC’s decision, but any fine or ban on Mohun Bagan would be unjust given the sensitive situation in Iran.