Mohun Bagan’s Sahal Abdul Samad. File
| Photo Credit: PTI
Reigning Indian Super League champions Mohun Bagan Super Giant have requested the Asian Football Confederation to shift their September 30 AFC Champions League 2 fixture towards Sepahan SC out of Iran, citing security issues.
The membership has already utilized for visas and made journey preparations, however uncertainty persists over the participation of foreigners Tom Aldred, Dimitri Petratos, Jamie Maclaren and Jason Cummings, as nationals from the UK and Australia face further restrictions in Iran.
Sepahan supervisor, nevertheless, maintained there isn’t any downside.
“Visas have been issued to every Mohun Bagan squad member, including their foreign players. There is no issue from our side,” he stated.
The Mariners, who misplaced their ACL-2 opener to Ahal FK on the Salt Lake Stadium right here on September 16, clarified they don’t seem to be refusing to journey, however need the AFC to handle their issues.
Failure to show up may imply heavy sanctions and jeopardise future participation of Indian golf equipment in ACL 2. Last season, Mumbai City FC have been compelled to play in Tehran with out key foreigners.
Mohun Bagan now face two back-to-back away video games towards Sepahan on September 30 and Jordan’s Al Hussain on October 21.
Super Cup stance ============ Mohun Bagan have additionally written to the All India Football Federation (AIFF) forward of the upcoming Super Cup, requesting the organisers to limit the international participant quota to 4 as a substitute of the proposed six.
It is learnt that the federation is planning to permit golf equipment to register and area as much as six foreigners on this 12 months’s version. In response, Mohun Bagan have urged for a cap of 4 to make sure larger alternatives for the Indians.
The federation had earlier permitted six foreigners within the competitors, primarily as a result of a number of ISL’s prime home gamers have been away on nationwide responsibility.
Mohun Bagan of their letter have cited AIFF president Kalyan Chaubey’s earlier remarks in help of their stance.
Chaubey had stated decreasing the variety of foreigners in home competitions would profit the nationwide group, and the membership reiterated this of their letter.
Earlier this month, East Bengal, too, had written to the federation in search of readability on the rule.
The group stage draw of the Super Cup is scheduled to be held just about on Thursday. The event correct will kick off in Goa on October 25.
Odisha FC have opted out, however the remainder of the ISL golf equipment will take part together with 4 I-League sides — Inter Kashi, Real Kashmir, Gokulam Kerala and Rajasthan United.
Traditionally held as the ultimate event of the season, the Super Cup this time will mark the start of the home calendar with uncertainty surrounding the top-tier ISL.
The winners will earn a berth within the AFC Champions League 2 qualifiers for the 2026-27 season.
Published – September 25, 2025 05:40 am IST
