Reigning Indian champions Mohun Bagan Super Giant have been kicked out of the 2025/26 AFC Champions League Two after refusing to travel to Iran for their September 30 clash against Sepahan, making it the second consecutive season in which the Mariners have been disqualified from Asia’s second-tier competition over their refusal to play in Iran.
Last year, Mohun Bagan suffered the same fate on October 7, 2024, when they declined to travel to Tabriz to face Tractor Sazi. That decision came in the wake of rising tensions between Iran and Israel, after Tehran had launched a series of ballistic missiles toward Israel in response to the assassination of a Hamas leader on Iranian soil on July 31, 2024. With safety concerns mounting, Mohun Bagan canceled their travel plans. While the choice was understandable given the geopolitical climate, it proved costly. Tractor were later ordered to play their remaining group fixtures in Qatar and the UAE before returning to Tabriz for the knockout stages, but the Mariners’ “last-minute” withdrawal left the AFC with no time to arrange an alternative venue — and the club were expelled.
Fast forward a year, and the scenario has repeated itself. This time, the Kolkata giants refused to travel to Isfahan to play Sepahan, once again citing “security fears.” Yet unlike last season, there has been no direct escalation in Iran–Israel hostilities since June, when Iran carried out an attack on the U.S.-operated Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar. With no immediate crisis unfolding, questions have been raised about Mohun Bagan’s true motives for their refusal.
One prevailing theory points toward their foreign contingent, particularly the Australian trio of Dimi Petratos, Jamie Maclaren, and Jason Cummings. All three were reportedly advised by their embassy to avoid Iran, with fears over their personal safety dominating the discussion. Cummings, in particular, came under fire after being spotted on holiday in Seoul with his partner on the very day his club were scheduled to take the pitch in Isfahan.
The AFC’s ruling has sparked outrage among Indian football fans, many of whom believe that Mohun Bagan’s stance is tarnishing India’s reputation on the continental stage. Supporters have pointed to Mumbai City’s example in the 2023/24 AFC Champions League, when the Islanders traveled to face Nassaji Mazandaran in Iran despite leaving their foreign players behind. Mumbai ultimately lost the match 2-0, but their decision to play won them respect for fulfilling their obligations.
While last season’s disqualification was dismissed under a “force majeure” clause due to the timing of Iran’s missile strikes, this year’s case could have more serious consequences. The AFC, deeming Iran stable enough to host matches, may view Mohun Bagan’s withdrawal as a breach of competition rules. Reports suggest the club could face significant sanctions, including fines or even a multi-season ban from continental tournaments.
Such an outcome would deal a severe blow not only to Mohun Bagan but to Indian football as a whole, undermining the progress made in recent years on Asia’s biggest stage. For fans, the sense of frustration runs deep: one of the country’s most historic and ambitious clubs has now twice failed to honor its continental commitments, and the damage to both reputation and opportunity may take years to repair.