Mohun Bagan SG opts out of Iran trip for AFC Champions League due to safety concerns

Citing concerns for player safety, Mohun Bagan Super Giant has decided not to travel to Iran for their upcoming AFC Champions League fixture against Tractor FC, amid the volatile situation in the region.

The match, originally scheduled for Wednesday, was set to take place in Iran's Tabriz at the Yadegar-e Emam Stadium. However, the club's players expressed apprehension about traveling to the country, which is currently observing a five-day state of mourning following the death of a high-ranking paramilitary general in an Israeli airstrike.

The club, which had planned to fly directly from Bengaluru after their Indian Super League match against Bengaluru FC on Sunday, has instead returned to Kolkata.

A Mohun Bagan source revealed that all 35 registered players, including seven foreign players, had written to the club, expressing their reluctance to travel to Iran under the current circumstances.

In response, Mohun Bagan SG formally requested the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) to either reschedule the match or move it to a neutral venue. The club also sought guidance from India's Ministry of External Affairs, which had issued an advisory suggesting that travel to Iran or Israel should be undertaken at one’s own risk.

Despite having made arrangements for flights and accommodations, the club felt that prioritizing the safety of their players was paramount.

This match would have been Mohun Bagan SG's second in the 2024-25 AFC Champions League Group A, following a goalless draw in their opening game against Tajikistan's FC Ravshan. Tractor FC currently leads the group, having secured a 3-0 victory over Qatar's Al-Wakrah SC.