The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) deems Mohun Bagan withdrawn from ACL2 for not traveling to Iran, while Esteghlal’s match with Al-Nassr is to be played at a neutral venue.
Two days after announcing that Mohun Began Super Giant were considered to have withdrawn from the Asian Champions League 2(ACL2) for not moving to Iran, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has informed to Esteghlal FC stating that their match against Cristiano Ronaldo’s AL- Nassr will have to be played at “neutral” venue.
In their appeal to AFC against the conclusion, Mohun Bagan are likely to mention this. An official at club said “It does seems odd that Mohun Bagan were treated one way and Al-Nassr-Esteghlal another,” The official said Mohun Bagan are taking information from lawyers and will file their appeal soon.
In the Asian Champions League the Esteghlal-Al-Nassr match is scheduled on 22th October 2024. According to X handle post in Persian @FcEsteghlal on 9th Oct 2024, Asian Football Confederation has written to Iran federation that the club should name a neutral venue at the earliest. According to another post on X social media platform also told that the Asian Champions League 2 match between Ravshan of Tajikistan and Tractor SC scheduled for 7th November 2024, will also be depart.
Dispute in West Asia has escalated over the past few days and on 1st October, Iran fired about 180 ballistic missiles at Israel. Mohun Bagan had written to AFC fr telling for the match, scheduled in Tabriz in Iran on 2nd October to be either deferred or shifted to a neutral venue.This step has taken after 35 players sent a signed declaration to the club saying they did not feel it safe to travel to Iran.
AFC replied on Monday by telling as per tournament rules Mohun Bagan were “considered to have withdrawn” for unable to report for the match in Iran. All matches involving Mohun Bagan—they had played one, a 0-0 home draw with Ravshan—would be ignored while determining the standings in the group.