Mohun Bagan disqualified from AFC Champions League Two after no-show in Tractor SC clash

The Mariners’ points tally in the competition so far will also be declared null and void.

The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) have confirmed that Mohun Bagan Super Giant have been eliminated from the group stages of the 2024-25 AFC Champions League Two. This comes after the Mariners opted against travelling to Tabriz (Iran) for their recently scheduled game against Tractor SC in the group stages.

In an official statement made by the federation on this matter, they stated: “Kuala Lumpur: In accordance with Article 5.2 of the AFC Champions League Two™ 2024/25 Competition Regulations (the “Competition Regulations”), the Asian Football Confederation (the “AFC”) confirms that India’s Mohun Bagan Super Giant are considered to have withdrawn from the AFC Champions League Two™ competition after the club failed to report to Tabriz, Islamic Republic of Iran, for their AFC Champions League Two™ Group A fixture against Tractor FC on October 2, 2024.”

“Consequently, all matches played by Mohun Bagan Super Giant are cancelled and considered null and void in accordance with Article 5.6 of the Competition Regulations. For the avoidance of 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,” it also added.

🇮🇳 Mohun Bagan Super Giant considered to have withdrawn from #ACLTwo after failure to report to Tabriz for Group A fixture against Tractor FC on October 2.https://t.co/gPXaeOmmgE

— #ACLElite | #ACLTwo (@TheAFCCL) October 7, 2024

Article 5.6 of AFC’s competition regulation states that ‘Any Participating Club that withdraws from the Competition after it has commenced shall have all its Matches cancelled and considered null and void. All points and goals in those Matches shall not be taken into consideration when determining the final rankings in a group pursuant to Article 8.3. For the avoidance of doubt, this Article 5.6 shall apply in all instances and is applicable even in cases of Force Majeure determined by the AFC Competitions Committee.’

Mohun Bagan are, therefore, currently deemed to have been eliminated from Group A of the AFC Champions League Two group. The Mariners had sent multiple letters to the AFC before the Tractor SC game urging them to either postpone the match or hold it at an alternative venue because of the ongoing tense situation in Iran because of their tensions with Israel.

There had been a five-day mourning period going on in Iran during the time when the Tractor SC match had been scheduled (2nd October). A day before that match, the missile strikes from the Iran military forces into Israel could even be seen from the Shahre Qods Stadium where another ACL Two match between Persepolis and Pakhtakhor was held.

As it stands, Mohun Bagan won’t be able to play any more continental matches this season. They were initially scheduled to face Al-Wakhrah at the Salt Lake Stadium on October 23, but that is clearly cancelled. The Mariners picked up a point in their opening game against Ravshan Kulob, but their points will now be considered null and void.

Although Mohun Bagan’s disqualification is confirmed the matter will now be referred to the relevant AFC Committee(s) as appropriate for their decision(s). While expecting them to be let off the hook is a hefty ask, nothing can be said for certain, about whether further action will be taken. For the moment, fans can only wait and watch as the drama unfolds.

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