Football

Mohun Bagan Super Giant, the Indian football club, has been deemed to have withdrawn from the AFC Champions League 2 after declining to travel to Iran for their match against Tractor FC. The decision was made due to concerns over the safety and security of the players amidst the volatile situation in Iran at the time.According to the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), Mohun Bagan's withdrawal is in accordance with Article 5.2 of the AFC Champions League 2 Competition Regulations. As a result, all matches played by the club have been canceled and declared null and void. The points and goals from these matches will not be considered in determining the final rankings in Group A.Mohun Bagan's decision to withdraw came after 35 registered players, including seven foreigners, expressed their unwillingness to travel to Iran. The club subsequently wrote to the AFC, requesting a rescheduling or relocation of the match to a neutral venue. However, the request was not granted.In their first match of Group A, Mohun Bagan had played out a goalless draw against Tajikistan's FC Ravshan. The club's withdrawal from the competition is a significant setback for Indian football, as it deprives the country of representation in the continent's second-tier club competition.The matter will now be referred to the relevant AFC Committee(s) for further decision-making. The AFC has stated that the safety and security of players is paramount and that it will take appropriate measures to ensure the well-being of all participants in its competitions.

Mohun Bagan Super Giant, an Indian football club, has withdrawn from their AFC Champions League match against Tractor FC in Iran due to safety concerns amid the ongoing tensions in the region. The club's decision was prompted by the unwillingness of its players to travel to Iran following the death of a prominent Iranian general in an Israeli air strike.Mohun Bagan was scheduled to face Tractor FC on Wednesday in Tabriz, Iran. However, the club received letters from its 35 registered players, including seven foreigners, expressing their reluctance to play in Iran at this time. The players cited the volatile situation in the country and the state of mourning declared by the Iranian government."We have decided to not travel to Iran keeping our players' safety and security in mind, because that is paramount," said a Mohun Bagan source. "We have also written to the ministry of external affairs as their advisory states that you can go to Iran or Israel on your own responsibility."The club has requested the Asian Football Federation (AFC) to either reschedule the match or move it to a neutral venue. Mohun Bagan had booked flights and arranged hotel accommodation for the trip, but the safety concerns of its players took precedence.In their first match of Group A, Mohun Bagan played out a goalless draw against Tajikistan's FC Ravshan. Tractor FC leads the standings with a 3-0 win over Qatar's Al-Wakrah SC.The decision by Mohun Bagan highlights the challenges faced by sports teams traveling to regions with political instability. The safety and well-being of players and staff must always be the top priority, and clubs must make informed decisions based on the latest information and advice from relevant authorities.

Argentine soccer star Angel Di Maria has expressed his reluctance to return to his hometown of Rosario due to escalating safety concerns. The 36-year-old, who triumphed with Argentina in the 2022 World Cup, had previously expressed his desire to end his career at his boyhood club, Rosario Central. However, a recent incident involving a bullet-pierced pig's head thrown at a family business has shattered his hopes.Di Maria revealed that his sister's business was targeted with a box containing the pig's head and a bullet, accompanied by a chilling note threatening his daughter's life if he returned to Rosario Central. "I am not going to return to Rosario in this way," Di Maria declared. "They touched my family, and I will not allow that."The incident is not an isolated one. Di Maria has faced previous threats, including a note thrown into a family property in March warning of dire consequences if he joined any club in Rosario. Argentine authorities have acknowledged the presence of "criminal organizations" in the city, but Di Maria remains skeptical of their ability to provide adequate protection."It is disrespectful to talk about security and protocols for me when people from Rosario cannot go out to work or wait for the bus without being robbed or killed," Di Maria said.The escalating violence in Rosario has also affected other high-profile South American footballers. Last year, gunmen opened fire on a shop belonging to the family of Lionel Messi's wife, leaving a threatening message for the footballer. In Colombia, guerilla fighters kidnapped the father of Liverpool's Luis Diaz, holding him for 12 days before releasing him.Di Maria's decision to prioritize his family's safety over his desire to return to his hometown highlights the growing threat posed by organized crime in South America. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by athletes and their families in regions plagued by violence and instability.