Following a 3-0 drubbing away to Bengaluru FC, the next target for Mohun Bagan is facing Tractor in the upcoming AFC Champions League Two clash. But all plans have been currently put on hold. In fact, there are major doubts regarding the match taking place. Currently, the Mariners are flying back to Kolkata while being in constant touch with the AFC and the Ministry of External Affairs.
Now the question is why is Mohun Bagan not travelling to Iran? Reports initially claimed that the players have failed to get their visa. But those reports are completely false. InsideSport can confirm that all the players have got their visa clearances to travel to Iran and play the game.
National Mourning in Iran – Mohun Bagan flies to Kolkata
However, currently Iran is in a five-day state of national mourning. This comes after Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah was killed by Israeli airstrike in Lebanon. Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has announced a five day period of national mourning and since football classifies as entertainment, there are huge security concerns if Mohun Bagan travels to Iran.
A senior Mohun Bagan official informed InsideSport that the club are constantly in touch with the AFC along with the India’s Ministry of External Affairs. The official further claimed that the security of the players and the staff are of utmost concern at this moment. Thus, the team is currently returning to Kolkata and a decision will be taken later, based on what the AFC decides.
It is also to be noted that just 2 days remain for the originally scheduled date of play. Under such scenario, it can be said that the away match at Tractor will likely not happen. Next, the Mariners will turn their attention to the ISL again. After a humiliating 3-0 loss in Bengaluru, it is time for the Mini-Derby in Kolkata when the Green and Maroon brigade face Mohammedan SC on 5th October.
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