Mohun Bagan Super Giant are set to challenge the Asian Football Confederation’s (AFC) decision to suspend the Kolkata giants from the AFC Champions League 2 2024-25 on Monday.
As per a Hindustan Times report, the club have already sought legal opinions to challenge the decision.
Last week, Mohun Bagan refused to travel to Tabriz, Iran to play their group stage match against Tractor FC citing security concerns due to the escalation in the Middle East, with Iran and Israel in the middle of a war-like situation.
Mohun Bagan suggested that the match should be rescheduled at a neutral venue. The Indian club decided against travelling to Iran after 35 players wrote a letter to the club management expressing their unwillingness to play in Iran.
Mohun Bagan also pointed to the advisory issued by the Indian government against travelling to Iran and Israel.
In a report on its website on Monday, AFC said, “In accordance with Article 5.2 of AFC Champions League 2 2024-25 Competition Regulations, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) confirms that India’s Mohun Bagan Super Giant are considered to have withdrawn from the ACL 2 competition after the club failed to report to Tabriz … against Tractor FC on October 2, 2024.” the AFC said.
“Consequently, all matches played by Mohun Bagan SG are cancelled and considered null and void in accordance with Article 5.6 of Competition Regulations. To avoid doubt, no points and goals in the club’s matches shall be taken into consideration when determining the final rankings in Group A pursuant to Article 8.3 of the Competition Regulations.
“The matter will now be referred to the relevant AFC Committee(s) as appropriate for their decision(s).
Mohun Bagan played one match in the AFC Champions League 2 against Tajikistan’s FC Ravshan on September 18 in a goalless draw at the Salt Lake Stadium.