Mohun Bagan SG has been disqualified from the AFC Champions League Two due to their failure to field a team in the match against Iran's Tractor FC.
Kuala Lumpur [Malaysia], October 7: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) announced on Monday that Mohun Bagan Super Giant, an Indian Super League club, has been disqualified from the AFC Champions League Two for failing to field a team against Iranian club Tractor FC.
The Kolkata-based team opted not to travel to Iran due to security concerns stemming from the ongoing Israel-Hezbollah conflict, leading to their disqualification from the tournament.
The situation in West Asia has intensified following Iran's launch of nearly 200 ballistic missiles targeting Israel, with the U.S. military collaborating closely with Israeli Defence Forces for defense. This escalation followed Israel's airstrike that killed Hezbollah's Secretary-General, Hassan Nasrallah, and the earlier assassination of Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, both of which have prompted Iran's vows for retaliation.
The AFC issued a statement declaring that Mohun Bagan is deemed to have withdrawn from the tournament as per Article 5.2 of the AFC Champions League Two 2024/25 Competition Regulations.
"In accordance with Article 5.2 of the AFC Champions League Two 2024/25 Competition Regulations, the AFC confirms that Mohun Bagan Super Giant are considered to have withdrawn after failing to report to Tabriz, Iran, for their fixture against Tractor FC on October 2, 2024," the statement noted.
As a result, all matches involving Mohun Bagan have been annulled. "Consequently, all matches played by Mohun Bagan Super Giant are cancelled and considered null and void, meaning no points or goals will count toward the final rankings in Group A," the statement added.
Mohun Bagan was in Group A, competing against Tractor FC, Al-Wakrah FC, and Ravshan Kulob, having played only one match against Ravshan, which ended in a 0-0 draw.