Mohun Bagan Super Giant have been deemed withdrawn from the AFC Champions League Two 2025-26 after refusing to travel to the Islamic Republic of Iran for their Group C match against Sepahan SC on September 30.
The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) confirmed Mohun Bagan’s exit on Tuesday after the Indian football club cited the ‘well-being of its players’ and ‘uncovered risks’ as their reason for not travelling to Iran three days before the scheduled tie.
“In accordance with Article 5.2 of the AFC Champions League Two 2025-26 Competition Regulations, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) confirms that India’s Mohun Bagan Super Giant are considered to have withdrawn after the club failed to report for their Group C fixture,” the AFC issued in a statement.
The AFC further confirmed that Mohun Bagan’s earlier result in the competition – a 1-0 home defeat to Turkmenistan’s Ahal FC at the Salt Lake Stadium – now stands null and void, as stipulated under Articles 5.6 and 8.3 of the regulations.
No points or goals from that football match will count towards the final Group C standings. The matter has been referred to the relevant AFC committees for further decisions.
Mohun Bagan were also slated to play Jordanian club Al-Hussein SC on October 21, but the match has now been called off.