The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has delivered a severe blow to Indian football, imposing a one-season continental ban and a substantial financial penalty on the country's premier club, Mohun Bagan Super Giant. The reigning Indian Super League champions have been fined a total of USD 100,729 (approximately INR 91 lakh) for wrongfully withdrawing from the 2025-26 AFC Champions League Two season.
The Core Offence and AFC's Ruling
The AFC Disciplinary and Ethics Committee, in its decision numbered VVC 20251217DC21, found Mohun Bagan guilty of breaching competition regulations. The club was deemed to have withdrawn from the tournament after refusing to travel to Iran for a scheduled group-stage match against Sepahan SC. The committee stated that the Kolkata-based club failed to fulfil its fixture after the group stage had already commenced, violating Article 5 of the ACL Two Competition Regulations.
Mohun Bagan had cited player safety concerns as the reason for not travelling, after six of their foreign players declined the trip following advisories from their respective governments. The club had sought a change of venue and subsequently approached the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), but the AFC classified their actions as an official withdrawal, triggering the disciplinary process.
Breakdown of the Severe Sanctions
The sanctions imposed by the AFC are multifaceted and financially punitive. The committee ordered Mohun Bagan to pay a straightforward fine of USD 50,000. Additionally, the club must pay USD 50,729 as compensation for damages and losses claimed by both the AFC and Sepahan SC.
More critically, the 'Mariners' have been disqualified from participating in the next AFC club competition for which they would qualify. This ban is effective immediately and will remain in force up to and including the 2027–28 season. The AFC also ruled that Mohun Bagan will forfeit all subsidies linked to their participation in the 2025-26 ACL Two season, including participation fees, performance bonuses, and travel subsidies. Any amount already paid by the AFC must be repaid within 30 days of the decision being communicated.
Club Reaction and Broader Context for Indian Football
Reacting to the decision, a Mohun Bagan official termed it "biased" in a statement to PTI. The official confirmed that the club's matter is already pending before the Lausanne-based Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) and expressed hope for a resolution. "It’s a biased decision against our club; our matter is pending at CAS and we’re hopeful of a resolution. However, the club may pay up the fines," the official said.
This incident mirrors a similar situation from the previous season when Mohun Bagan were deemed to have withdrawn after not travelling to Iran to face Tractor FC, although they escaped sanctions at that time.
The AFC's disciplinary action arrives at a period of profound crisis for Indian football. The domestic season is in complete limbo, with no confirmation on the start dates for the Indian Super League, I-League, or I-League 2. This uncertainty stems from the expiry of the 15-year agreement between Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL) and the All India Football Federation (AIFF) on December 8, 2025.
In a separate but related ruling (VVC 20251217DC08), the AFC committee also fined the AIFF USD 1,000 for delaying the restart of the second half during India's AFC Asian Cup 2027 qualifier against Bangladesh on November 18, 2025. Furthermore, FC Goa was fined USD 5,000 (VVC 20251217DC19) for a security lapse during an ACL Two match against Al Nassr, where a spectator invaded the field.
With the domestic calendar facing potential collapse, the Union Sports Ministry, under Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, has intervened. The ministry is holding meetings with stakeholders to break the deadlock, and a proposed resolution is expected within a week. Officials are racing against time to prevent a scenario where India goes without a men's domestic league season for the first time since 1996, a situation that would further erode the nation's standing in Asian football.
