Mohun Bagan Super Giant (MBSG) have formally written to the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), requesting a change of venue for their upcoming AFC Champions League 2 clash against Iranian club Sepahan SC. The club has cited the safety of its footballers as the primary reason behind the appeal.
While the Mariners have already applied for visas for all players and support staff, and even completed logistical arrangements including flight bookings and hotel reservations, complications remain. Nationals from countries such as the United Kingdom and Australia face additional restrictions for Iran, leaving key foreign players – Tom Aldred, Dimitri Petratos, Jamie Maclaren, and Jason Cummings – in uncertainty.
In the latest update, it has been clarified that Iran does not stamp passports. Instead, the stamp is placed on the e-visa, which has already been granted to all Mohun Bagan players. However, there is still no official word on whether the team will eventually travel to Iran.
For Mohun Bagan, the safety and well-being of their players remains the top priority. The club has therefore urged the AFC to consider their request sympathetically. However, it remains to be seen whether the appeal will be accepted, especially since other clubs – such as Al Wahda (set to play Tractor SC on 29th September) and Al Muharraq (due to face Esteghlal on 1st October) – are travelling to Iran to fulfil their fixtures.
Importantly, Mohun Bagan have not opted out of travelling to Iran. Instead, the club has taken a responsible stand by highlighting genuine concerns to the AFC.
If the AFC does not approve the request, Mohun Bagan will have to travel to Iran to play the game. Otherwise, it could result in sanctions from the AFC and may also limit future participation of Indian clubs in ACL 2, considering the precedent from last season. In such a scenario, the Mariners could be forced to travel without their four foreign players – much like Mumbai City FC had to travel to Tehran to face Nassaji Mazandaran in 2023.
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