Mohun Bagan Super Giants have formally cancelled their AFC champions league 2 away match with Sepahan SC of Iran as of September 30, 2025. The primary concern of the club was player safety.
According to The Times of India, the six international Mohun Bagan players had refused to travel after being advised by their respective countries, such as Australia and the United Kingdom, not to travel.
The club has e-visas but no safety guarantees provided by the AFC and AIFF, which made them take this step. Mohun Bagan has also resorted to the Court of Arbitration of Sport to obtain a just solution and defend its interests after a previous withdrawal in 2024 caused by regional unrest.
Mohun Bagan’s Bold Stand: Safety Over AFC Champions League 2 Fixtures
Mohun Bagan has refused to travel to Iran to play their AFC Champions League 2 game against Sepahan SC on 30 September 2025. The club used safety as the primary factor, prioritizing the health of players over a tournament or a fixture.
The shift was made after the six foreign players of Mohun Bagan refused to travel after their countries had advised them against travelling. The entire team and Indian staff collectively agreed to prioritize personal safety and family responsibilities.
Even though the team had received e-visas, the lack of assurances from the Asian Football Confederation and the All India Football Federation made the management cautious. It could not risk the lives of players in the AFC Champions League 2.
In order to solve the problem, Mohun Bagan has submitted cases to the Court of Arbitration to Sport (CAS) to find a fair solution, which may involve a change of the venue.
This is reflective of a similar event in 2024, when the club cancelled a match in Tractor SC, in Iran, because of unrest. They have demonstrated responsibility through their proactive attitude and led by example to other clubs who may be experiencing the same dilemma during international tournaments.
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In my opinion, the move taken by Mohun Bagan is quite reasonable and praiseworthy. Even in such high-profile events as the AFC Champions League 2, the safety of players should be a priority at all times. The club is working to play safely and also emphasize the importance of better communication and backing by the governing associations, such as AFC and AIFF.
This incident is a timely wake-up call to all of us that football is not about points or even trophies, but it is also about being responsible and taking care of the people behind the game.
Amit Mishra’s Take
Watching Mohun Bagan take this stand, I feel it is both courageous and sensible. No competition, not even the AFC Champions League 2, will justify the risk to players’ lives; their safety should always come first.
The health of the team must never be sacrificed in favor of points or titles. It is a responsible, caring, and priority-oriented decision by the club, which any sports organization can be proud of.
Another thing I like about Mohun Bagan is that they are taking the matter to the Court of Arbitration for Sport. This indicates that they are not avoiding their responsibilities, but they are trying to have a just resolution that will enable them to compete safely in the AFC Champions League 2.
Meanwhile, this episode shows that the governing authorities, such as AFC and AIFF, need to provide more support and communication so that clubs do not have to endure such situations on their own.
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