According to the MBSG, the AFC has now acknowledged their concerns but added the club remained withdrawn from the tournament.
Mohun Bagan Super Giant told today the Asian Football Confederation has “recognized” the top Indian club’s pullout from their AFC Champions League 2 match in Iran last month as a case of force majeure.
Keeping the player’s “safety and security” in mind, Mohun Bagan SG last month chosen to forgo their 2nd October match against Tractor FC in Iran due to the volatile state prevailing in the West Asian nation at the time.
The continental body reacted promptly and the Kolkata-based club was withdrawn from the championship, pending further decision on the matter.
As per the MBSG, the AFC has now recognized their concerns but added the club remained withdrawn from the tournament.
The club said in a statement ” On 2nd November 2024, Mohun Bagan Super Giant has been communicated by the Asian Football Federation(AFC) that in response to the club’s appeal, the AFC competitions Committee has decided to recognize the matters raised by Mohun Bagan SG as an event of force majeure, “
“Consequently penal consequences, as per clause 5.7 of AFC Champions League 2 competition Regulations shall not apply to Mohun Bagan SG.”
“However, in terms of AFC Champions League 2 competition Regulation clauses 5.5 and 5.6 even in case of force majeure events MBSG shall stand withdrawn from the tournament for ongoing season.”
Mohun Bagan SG were arranged to play Tractor FC on 2nd October 2024 in a Group A match of the ACL-the continent’s second-tier club competition.
Following the death of a prominent general of the Revolutionary Guard in an Israeli air strike, players expressed their unwillingness to travel to Iran, which was then in a state of mourning.
After Iran launched missiles on Israel, escalating political tensions between the two countries, Mohun Bagan had taken the decision to not travel to the country.
Mohun Bagan Super Giants were “withdrawn” from competitions even the After rescheduled matches across its tournaments due to the security situation in Iran, forcing the Indian club to accuse the continental football body of “unequal treatment”.