 "The 2025-26 season of the AFC Champions League Two will not have Mohun Bagan Super Giant. Image: PTI")
Mohun Bagan Super Giant has been removed from the Asian Champions League Two for a second consecutive season after the Indian football club refused to travel to Ira n for the Tuesday match against Sepahan SC. Mohun Bagan’s removal was confirmed by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) on Tuesday.
The Indian Super League (ISL) champion Mohun Bagan on Saturday said that they would not be travelling to Iran as six of their foreign players have refused to make the trip following “advisories from their respective countries”.
AFC removes Mohun Bagan from Champions League Two
AFC said that Mohun Bagan are now “considered to have withdrawn from the AFC Champions League Two” and that the matter will now be referred to the relevant AFC Committee for the appropriate decision.
“In accordance with Article 5.2 of the AFC Champions League Two 2025/26 Competition Regulations (the ‘Competition Regulations’), the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) confirms that India’s Mohun Bagan Super Giant are considered to have withdrawn from the AFC Champions League Two 2025/26 competition after the club failed to report to Isfahan, Islamic Republic of Iran, for their Group C fixture against Foolad Mobarakeh Sepahan SC on 30 September 2025,” the AFC said in a statement.
“Consequently, the previous match played by Mohun Bagan Super Giant is cancelled and considered null and void in accordance with Article 5.6 of the Competition Regulations. For the avoidance of doubt, no points and goals from the club’s previous match shall be taken into consideration when determining the final Group C standings, pursuant to Article 8.3 of the Competition Regulations,” the AFC added.
Mohun Bagan faced a similar fate last season when they refused to travel to Iran for a match against Tractor SC of Tabriz due to security issues after unrest in the West Asian region.
Fans slam Mohun Bagan after AFC tournament setback
The decision by Mohun Bagan not to travel to Iran and their subsequent removal from the Asian Champions League Two has led to sharp criticism on social media as fans blasted the club and its decision-making.
“Mohun Bagan foreigners refuse to travel to Iran citing “safety concerns”. But guess what? Same players are happily flying to Seoul for holidays. Fans aren’t fools—this is hypocrisy at its peak,” a fan wrote on X.
Another fan aimed at the management: “Mohun Bagan SG are considered to have withdrawn from the AFC Champions League Two 2025/26. The same outcome year after year, why do we sign Australians even after these issues every year? Clown Management and players.”
“Pathetic excuses from Mohun Bagan for not going to Iran citing security threat,” said a football supporter.
While AFC did not take any action against Mohun Bagan last season due to the Iran-Israel conflict, this may not be the case this time around.