The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has delivered a severe triple punishment to Indian Super League champions Mohun Bagan Super Giant, banning them from continental competitions for one season and imposing fines totalling approximately ₹91 lakh (USD 100,729). This decisive action comes after the Kolkata-based club withdrew from the 2025-26 AFC Champions League Two group stage.
The Core Offence and AFC's Ruling
In a ruling dated December 17, 2025 (Decision VVC 20251217DC21), the AFC Disciplinary and Ethics Committee found Mohun Bagan guilty of breaching competition regulations by wrongfully withdrawing. The issue stemmed from the club's refusal to travel to Iran for a scheduled match against Sepahan SC. The committee stated the club failed to fulfil its fixture after the group stage had commenced, a violation of Article 5 of the ACL Two Competition Regulations.
The sanctions are comprehensive. The Mariners have been fined USD 50,000 and ordered to pay an additional USD 50,729 as compensation for damages and losses claimed by both the AFC and Sepahan SC. Crucially, the club is disqualified from the next AFC club competition they qualify for, with this ban effective up to and including the 2027–28 season.
Financial and Competitive Fallout for Mohun Bagan
The financial penalties extend beyond the direct fines. The AFC committee also ruled that Mohun Bagan will forfeit all subsidies linked to their participation in the 2025-26 ACL Two season. This includes participation fees, performance bonuses, and travel subsidies. Any amount already paid to the club must be repaid within 30 days of the decision's communication.
A club official, speaking to PTI, termed the decision "biased" and revealed that the matter is currently pending with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Lausanne. "Our matter is pending at CAS and we're hopeful of a resolution. However, the club may pay up the fines," the official stated. The club had cited player safety concerns after six foreign players declined the Iran trip following advisories from their governments.
Double Blow: AIFF and FC Goa Also Penalised
The AFC's disciplinary actions on Wednesday were not limited to Mohun Bagan. In a separate ruling (Decision VVC 20251217DC08), the All India Football Federation (AIFF) was fined USD 1,000. This penalty was for delaying the restart of the second half by one minute and 43 seconds during India's AFC Asian Cup 2027 qualifier against Bangladesh on November 18, 2025.
In yet another decision (VVC 20251217DC19), FC Goa was fined USD 5,000 for a security lapse during their ACL Two match against Saudi Arabia's Al Nassr on October 22. The committee found the club violated safety regulations after a spectator invaded the area surrounding the field of play.
Broader Crisis in Indian Football Administration
These disciplinary blows land at a precarious time for Indian football, which is grappling with profound administrative uncertainty. The domestic football season remains in limbo following the expiry of the 15-year agreement between Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL) and the AIFF on December 8. There is no confirmed start date for the ISL, I-League, or I-League 2.
With the impasse threatening to cause the first cancellation of a men's domestic league season since 1996, the Union Sports Ministry, under Dr Mansukh Mandaviya, has intervened. Ministry officials are holding urgent meetings with stakeholders to find a resolution and prevent a complete collapse of the football calendar, a scenario that would further damage India's standing in Asian football.
