Kolkata: Mohun Bagan SG cancelled their plan to travel to Iran to play Tractor FC in their AFC Champions League Two away clash on Monday evening due to security and safety concerns.
The match was scheduled for October 2 in Tabriz, Iran.
“35 players have written a letter to the club management that they will not be going to Iran to play Tractor FC. They are concerned about their safety and security due to the present tension in the Middle East,” a club official told The Bridge over the phone.
A copy of the letter has also been sent to the All India Football Federation (AIFF).
In the wake of the players’ refusal to play the match in Iran, which is involved in a direct tussle with Israel in the aftermath of the latter’s war with Palestine, Mohun Bagan requested the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) to reschedule the match or organise it in a neutral venue.
“The club has requested AFC to reschedule the match or hold it in a neutral venue,” the official added.
“We cannot risk the safety of the players since external affairs ministry cannot guarantee us any security for playing in countries like in Iran and Israel. Safety of the players are paramount,” he stated.
The external affairs ministry, in April, issued a travel advisory, stating, “In view of the prevailing situation in the region, all Indians are advised not to travel to Iran or Israel to further notice.”
Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has recently declared a five-day national mourning following the killing of Iran-backed Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah who was killed in an Israeli air strike in Lebanon.
With players refusing to travel to Iran, Jose Molina’s Mohun Bagan returned to Kolkata following their 0-3 thrashing at the hands of Bengaluru FC in an Indian Super League (ISL) 2024-25 away clash. The club were supposed to fly to Iran directly from Bengaluru.
Mohun Bagan could face sanctions
However, Mohun Bagan’s refusal to travel to Iran just a couple of days before the match is unlikely to impress the AFC.
The club might find themselves in choppy waters. They may either have to forfeit the match and points to Tractor FC, as per the Article 57 of AFC Champions League Two match regulations.
The AFC might also impose a minimum fine of USD 10,000 on Mohun Bagan or disqualify them from the 2024-25 season of the continental league. They could also face a possible ban from future competitions run by the AFC.
Mohun Bagan are currently third in the Group A which also features FC Ravshan of Tajikistan. Mohun Bagan played out a goalless draw against FC Ravshan in a home game. Tractor FC are currently leading the group with a 3-0 win over Qatar’s Al-Wakrah SC.