Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has officially confirmed that Mohun Bagan Super Giant, a prominent Indian club, is considered to have withdrawn from the AFC Champions League Two™ 2024/25 after failing to appear for their Group A fixture against Tractor FC in Tabriz, Iran, on October 2, 2024.
In accordance with Article 5.2 of the AFC Champions League Two™ 2024/25 Competition Regulations, the AFC has declared Mohun Bagan’s withdrawal after the club did not report to Tabriz for the scheduled match. This failure to participate in the group stage encounter has resulted in significant consequences for both the club and the competition.
Under Article 5.6 of the Competition Regulations, all of Mohun Bagan Super Giant’s previous matches in the tournament are now cancelled and considered null and void. As a result, points and goals from their matches will not be counted in the final Group A rankings. This provision ensures that the integrity of the competition remains intact, preventing the unavailability of one team from affecting the standings.
The regulation cited under Article 8.3 reinforces that no points, goals, or statistics from the cancelled matches involving Mohun Bagan will be considered when determining the final rankings for Group A. This ensures a level playing field for the remaining teams in the group.
The AFC has further announced that the situation will be referred to the relevant AFC Committees for a formal decision on the matter. These committees will likely assess the circumstances of Mohun Bagan’s failure to appear, as well as any potential disciplinary actions that could be imposed on the club.
Mohun Bagan’s unexpected withdrawal from the AFC Champions League Two has disrupted the competition, especially within Group A. With their matches nullified, the remaining teams will now focus on securing their places in the knockout stages without the points initially gained or lost in fixtures against the Indian club.
This development is a major blow for Mohun Bagan Super Giant, a club with a rich footballing history and passionate fan base. Their absence from the tournament casts uncertainty over their future participation in AFC competitions, depending on the findings and decisions of the AFC Committees.
The AFC continues to emphasize the importance of adherence to its competition regulations to maintain the standards and fairness of the prestigious tournament. The decision serves as a reminder to all participating teams of the importance of fulfilling their commitments at this elite level of Asian football.
Credit Photo : AFC
