Mohun Bagan Super Giant (MBSG), the reigning Indian Super League champions, have formally requested the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) to relocate their upcoming AFC Champions League 2 (ACL2) match against Iranian club Sepahan SC, scheduled for September 30. The primary reason cited for this request is the safety and security of the team's players amidst regional instability.
The club has already applied for visas and completed logistical arrangements, including flights and hotel bookings. However, complications have arisen due to additional restrictions faced by nationals from countries like the United Kingdom and Australia when entering Iran. This situation leaves key foreign players – Tom Aldred, Dimitri Petratos, Jamie Maclaren, and Jason Cummings – in a state of uncertainty.
Mohun Bagan has emphasized that the safety and well-being of its players are the top priority. The club has urged the AFC to consider their request with empathy. Despite these concerns, there's been clarification that Iran issues e-visas without passport stamps, a measure already completed for all Mohun Bagan players.
The AFC is yet to respond to Mohun Bagan's request. It remains to be seen whether the appeal will be accepted, especially since other clubs, such as Al Wahda and Al Muharraq, are travelling to Iran for their respective fixtures.
It's important to note that Mohun Bagan has not opted out of travelling to Iran altogether. Instead, the club has taken a responsible stance by bringing these genuine concerns to the AFC's attention. If the AFC does not approve the request, Mohun Bagan will be obligated to travel to Iran to play the game. Failure to comply could result in sanctions from the AFC and may also limit the future participation of Indian clubs in ACL 2, setting a potentially negative precedent. In such a scenario, the Mariners might have to travel without their four foreign players, similar to Mumbai City FC's experience in 2023.
This is not the first time Mohun Bagan has expressed security concerns regarding playing in Iran. In 2024, the club decided against travelling to Iran for their AFC Champions League match against Tractor FC, citing player safety concerns amid regional instability. The team requested the AFC to consider an alternative venue and contacted India's external affairs ministry for guidance. The club also highlighted a travel advisory issued by the ministry advising against travel to Iran.
Mohun Bagan's recent form has been mixed. They suffered a 1-0 defeat to Turkmenistan's Ahal FC in their opening AFC Champions League 2 match at the Salt Lake Stadium. They are scheduled to play Sepahan SC on September 30.
The AFC Champions League 2 is Asia's second-tier club football competition, below the AFC Champions League Elite. Mohun Bagan secured a direct spot in the group stage after winning the Indian Super League Shield last season.
