Mohun Bagan Not Flying to Iran in Mourning State Following Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah Death, ACL Two Plans in Question

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Mohun Bagan's upcoming AFC Champions League Two (ACL Two) group stage match against Iran's Tractor FC, scheduled for October 2, has been cast into doubt following recent developments in Iran.

The Mariners, who were set to fly to Iran on the morning of September 29, are now returning to Kolkata from Bengaluru due to safety concerns and uncertainty surrounding the match.

The complications arose after Iran declared a five-day state mourning following the death of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah. The mourning period, coupled with growing global protests-including in Iran-has led the club to question the safety of their players during what is proving to be a tumultuous time in the country.

A senior club official said that their primary concern is the safety of the players. Given the protests and mourning across Iran, they are concerned about whether it is safe for the team to travel and play there. They are in constant contact with the AFC and the country's external affairs ministry, but no final decision has been reached yet.

Protests have erupted not only across Iran but also in several countries, further complicating matters. The potential volatility surrounding the political and social landscape makes the prospect of traveling to Iran for the match even more precarious.

Despite having visas and travel arrangements in place, the club is now in a holding pattern, awaiting further guidance from the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) regarding whether the match will be postponed or moved to a neutral venue.

However, with only three days to go, making alternative arrangements appears increasingly unlikely. In the light of such an uncertain situation, the team is travelling back to Kolkata in the meantime and keep doing their training and work till a decision is reached in talks with AFC and the external affairs ministry.

Adding to their concerns, Mohun Bagan suffered a 3-0 defeat against Bengaluru FC yesterday evening, compounding pressure as they head into a busy schedule. After the AFC match, they are slated to face Mohammedan SC at the Salt Lake Stadium on October 5, followed by the high-stakes Kolkata Derby against East Bengal FC.

The uncertainty around their international fixture only adds to the challenges for the ISL Shield champions. As they look to find their rhythm in the new season, they now have to navigate both the complexities of travel during a time of unrest and their tight domestic schedule.