Mohun Bagan Suffers AFC Ban, Hefty Fines Over Iran Travel Dispute
Image Source: Internet
Mohun Bagan has been hit with a severe penalty by the Asian Football Federation (AFC) for refusing to travel to Iran for a crucial Asian Champions League (ACL) match against Sepahan SC in September. The ISL club has been banned from all AFC competitions, ordered to pay over $100,000 in fines, and excluded from next season's Asian competition if they qualify. Additionally, they have been handed a $50,000 fine and must pay $50,729 for damages and losses incurred by the AFC and Sepahan. This decision comes after the club's players expressed concerns over safety due to the risks involved in traveling to Iran. Bagan had initially filed a request for a neutral venue with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), but it was rejected. A club official stated that the players' safety and their families' well-being came first, leading to the decision to withdraw from the tournament. This is not the first time Mohun Bagan has faced a similar situation. Last year, they declined to travel to Iran for a match against Tractor SC, citing concerns over safety following Iran's ballistic missile launch towards Israel. The club is now considering an appeal against the suspension. In a separate ruling, FC Goa has been fined $5,000 for failing to ensure stadium safety during a match against Al Nassr in October. The club was found to be in violation of the AFC's Disciplinary and Ethics Code, specifically Article 64, which deals with the organisation of matches. A fan had invaded the playing area, prompting the fine.
