The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) today confirms the decision of its Disciplinary and Ethics Committee regarding Mohun Bagan Super Giant’s refusal to participate in their scheduled AFC Champions League Two™ 2024/25 Group Stage match against Sepahan FC in Isfahan, Islamic Republic of Iran, on September 2025.
The club cited security concerns and lack of adequate assurances as reasons for not traveling, marking the second such incident following their withdrawal from a match against Tractor FC in October 2024.
The Committee, after thorough review, has withdrawn Mohun Bagan Super Giant from the AFC Champions League Two 2024/25 and declared all their matches in the competition null and void. Additionally the club is banned from participating in the next edition of AFC club competitions for which they qualify, with the suspension extending up to the 2027/28 season.
A fine of USD 50,000 has been imposed, along with an order to pay USD 50,729 in compensation for damages and losses incurred by the AFC and Sepahan FC. The club will also forfeit any participation subsidy for the tournament.
This decision underscores the AFC’s commitment to upholding the integrity of its competitions and ensuring compliance with tournament regulations. The AFC respects the concerns raised but emphasizes that all participating teams must fulfill their obligations to maintain fairness across the confederation.
A senior official from Mohun Bagan Super Giant 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 club, which includes players from countries with travel advisories against Iran (Australia, Spain, and the United Kingdom), had requested a neutral venue and appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), which rejected the plea. Mohun Bagan has indicated they may appeal the sanctions.
The AFC continues to monitor regional situations to ensure the safety of all participants while promoting the growth of football in Asia.