Mohun Bagan condemns AIFF's order of full stadium closure ahead of Odisha FC game

Mariners are at the top of the ISL table with three wins.

The All India Football Federation has ordered a full stadium closure in the Vivekananda Yuva Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata ahead of Mohun Bagan’s next game against Odisha FC on 6 March.

This comes following alleged spectator misconduct at Mohun Bagan’s recent home game against Kerala Blasters FC in the VYBK, where the home team went on to win 2-0 after Jamie Maclaren and Dimitri Petratos found the back of the net.

Mohun Bagan SG has said that the club has accepted the financial penalty in good faith, but feels that the stadium closure is an extreme measure that would unfairly punish thousands of law-abiding supporters who come to the stadium to support their teams with passion and dedication.

The club demanded reconsideration of the decision in the larger interest of fans. According to the AIFF rule books as per the 2024 Disciplinary Code, the AIFF Disciplinary Committee explicitly empowers its judicial bodies to impose a wide range of sanctions, including partial or full stadium closure, where a club is found liable for safety lapses or spectator misconduct.

The club said, “We are deeply disappointed with the AIFF Disciplinary Committee’s decision to impose a full stadium closure for our home fixture on 6 March 2026. While we have accepted the financial penalty in good faith, we believe closing the stadium unfairly punishes thousands of passionate, law-abiding supporters who are the heartbeat of our Club.”

How will stadium closure impact the club and fans?

At a time when Indian football is going through unprecedented times in a constricted season, with players and staff making peace with reduced salaries, the big question remains whether stadium closure is a harsh and extreme step, given Kolkata’s love and passion for football.

Mohun Bagan Super Giant are the reigning ISL champions, and their home game draws a big crowd. As per sources, MBSG records the highest average attendance of 27,307 spectators by any club in this competition, and the VYBK remains jam-packed in every Mohun Bagan home game.

Not only will the stadium closure affect the revenue by complete loss of ticketing, hospitality and matchday commercial revenue, but the Mariners will lose home support in a crucial game against Odisha FC, where they need a win to solidify their spot at the top of the ISL table.

Thousands of season ticket holders and casual fans will be denied entry, which would massively damage the trust between club and community, and the human cost of stadium closure goes far beyond just commercial means, especially in such a precarious time, when the Indian footballing fraternity is going through turmoil.

Mariners are coming after three back-to-back wins

Sergio Lobera’s men are spitting fire this season, having scored 9 goals in their first three games and conceding only once against Mohammedan in the last game. The Mariners are the reigning champions of the Indian Super League and will look forward to retaining the top honours.

Though the Mariners will be denied a continental spot after sanction from the AFC, the club is leaving no stone unturned to become the champions of India. The fans also have been behind the club, clocking an average attendance of over 25,000 spectators in every single game.

In a constricted ISL season, where every team faces the others only once, Mohun Bagan will be looking forward to clinching their fourth win against Odisha FC on 6 March, as Sergio Lobera will be up against his former side at VYBK.

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