Mohun Bagan Super Giants on Friday confirmed that they will not be travelling to Iran for their AFC Champions League group-stage fixture against Sepahan SC, scheduled on September 30 in Isfahan.
RevSportz first reported on September 23rd that there was uncertainty regarding Mohun Bagan’s travel to Iran, and on September 26th, we reported that foreigners had cited safety concerns and refused to travel
The club issued an official statement citing safety concerns raised by players and their families, while also confirming that they have moved the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) to seek a resolution.
“Mohun Bagan Super Giant prioritizes the safety and well-being of its players, officials, and support staff. Our players and their families have expressed concern over travel to Iran. The Club, after due consideration, is thoughtful of their request for safety,” the statement read.
It further added: “After careful consideration of the government advisories and the potential uncovered risks involved, and upholding the players’ sentiments, the Club has approached the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) to seek a fair resolution and safeguard its interests.”
The development follows a turbulent build-up to the fixture, with all six foreign players — Jason Cummings, Jamie Maclaren, Dimitri Petratos, Alberto Rodríguez, Robson Robinho, and Tom Aldred — opting out of the trip earlier this week. That left the club with only their domestic contingent, who too had been asked to confirm their stance.
The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) had earlier turned down Mohun Bagan’s request to shift the venue out of Iran, insisting that full security arrangements would be made. However, with mounting concerns from within the squad and their families, the Green-and-Maroon management has chosen to take the matter to CAS.