The Asian Football Confederation (AFC)’s Disciplinary and Ethics Committee on Wednesday slapped a two-season ban (up to the 2027-28 season) and a Rs 3.6 crore ($400,729) fine on Kolkata outfit Mohun Bagan Super Giant for refusing to travel to Iran for the game against Sepahan SC.
Two-time ISL winners Mohun Bagan Super Giants did not travel to Iran in September, citing security concerns during the ACL-2 competition.
According to the ruling, Mohun Bagan have been barred from competing in the next two AFC club tournaments, which they would otherwise have qualified for, keeping them out of continental football until the end of the 2027–28 season.
The AFC’s Disciplinary and Ethics Committee treated Mohun Bagan’s refusal to travel to Iran as a withdrawal from the competition. This led to their disqualification from the ongoing campaign and the imposition of further sanctions.
The unprecedented AFC action comes on the back of the uncertainty prevailing in Indian football over holding the country’s top tournament, Indian Super League (ISL), due to a dearth of sponsors.
The AFC ruled that by refusing to go to Iran, Mohun Bagan “wrongfully withdrew” from the competition.