The AFC Disciplinary and Ethics Committee concluded that the reigning Indian Super League champions wrongfully withdrew from the competition after refusing to travel to Iran for a group-stage match against Sepahan SC, resulting in a one-season ban from all AFC competitions.
In their ruling numbered VVC 20251217DC21, the committee found the Kolkata giants guilty of breaching Article 5 (Withdrawal from the Competition) of the ACL Two Competition Regulations, as they failed to fulfill their obligations once the group stage had already started.
As part of the penalties, the Mariners were “fined USD 50,000,” instructed to pay “USD 50,729 as compensation for damages and losses” claimed by the AFC and Sepahan SC, and “disqualified from participating in the next AFC club competition they otherwise would qualify for, with the ban lasting until and including the 2027–28 season”.
The committee also mandated that Mohun Bagan forfeit all subsidies associated with their participation in the 2025-26 ACL Two season, encompassing participation fees, performance bonuses, and travel subsidies.
Any amounts already disbursed by the AFC must be repaid within 30 days of the communicated decision.
“The compensation must be paid to the AFC within thirty (30) days of the date this Decision is communicated,” the order specified.
Labeling the decision as “biased,” a Mohun Bagan official informed PTI that their case is currently pending at the Lausanne-based Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), which serves as the final arbitral body for international sports-related legal disputes, and they were “hopeful for a resolution”.
“It’s an unjust decision against our club; we are awaiting a resolution at CAS. However, the club may go ahead and pay the fines,” he stated.
This ruling follows Mohun Bagan’s choice not to travel to Iran over safety concerns after six foreign players opted out of the trip due to advisories from their respective governments.
The club had requested a change of venue and later approached the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), but the AFC interpreted this as a withdrawal, leading to stringent disciplinary measures.
The case echoes a prior season when Mohun Bagan faced similar sanctions for not traveling to Iran to play Tractor SC amidst regional tensions, though they escaped penalties then.
AIFF fined USD 1,000 for delayed restart ============================== In a separate ruling (VVC 20251217DC08), the AFC Disciplinary and Ethics Committee imposed a fine of USD 1,000 on the All India Football Federation due to a delay in restarting the second half during India’s AFC Asian Cup 2027 final round qualifier against Bangladesh on November 18, 2025.
The committee found that AIFF representatives caused a delay of one minute and 43 seconds in commencing the second period, thus violating Article 2 (Official Countdown) of the AFC Competitions Operations Manual.
AIFF was held accountable under Article 2.2 of the manual and ordered to pay the fine within 30 days, as stipulated by Article 11.3 of the AFC Disciplinary and Ethics Code.
FC Goa fined USD 5,000 for security lapse =============================== In another decision (VVC 20251217DC19), the AFC committee levied a fine of USD 5,000 on FC Goa for failing to ensure stadium safety during their AFC Champions League Two group-stage match against Al Nassr from Saudi Arabia on October 22.
The committee found FC Goa violated Article 64 (Organization of Matches) of the AFC Disciplinary and Ethics Code after a spectator invaded the field area following the match.
The ruling stated that the club did not fully comply with safety regulations and failed to take necessary precautions to maintain law and order in and around the stadium. FC Goa is required to pay the fine within 30 days from the date the decision was communicated.
The AFC’s disciplinary actions occur amidst a backdrop of significant administrative and structural issues plaguing Indian football.
The domestic season remains in a state of uncertainty, with no confirmation regarding the ISL, I-League, or I-League 2, the country’s three principal divisions.
This uncertainty follows the expiration of a 15-year agreement between Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL) and the AIFF on December 8, leaving the future of the premier division in doubt.
The ISL typically begins in September, and the I-League was meant to start on October 19, based on the federation’s schedule.
With the stalemate continuing, the Union Sports Ministry, led by Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, has intervened, convening meetings with all stakeholders to resolve the deadlock and avert a complete collapse of the domestic calendar.
A proposed resolution from the Ministry is anticipated within the upcoming week, as officials rush to prevent India from missing a men’s domestic league season for the first time since 1996, a scenario that would further harm the country’s standing in Asian football.
