All India Football Federation (AIFF) has charged Mohun Bagan Super Giant over alleged spectator misconduct during their recent match against Chennaiyin FC on February 23.
The incident occurred during an Indian Super League fixture at the Salt Lake Stadium, where Mohun Bagan secured a 2-0 victory. Australian striker Jamie Maclaren broke the deadlock late in the first half, and compatriot Dimitri Petratos added a second to seal the win for the home side.
Following the match, the AIFF Disciplinary Committee reviewed the alleged misconduct and imposed sanctions on the Kolkata-based club. While Mohun Bagan accepted a financial penalty handed down by the governing body, the AIFF also ordered a full stadium closure for their upcoming home fixture against Odisha FC on March 6.
The decision means fans will not be permitted to attend the match, a move that has drawn strong criticism from the club.
In an official statement, Mohun Bagan expressed its dissatisfaction with the ruling. “We are deeply disappointed with the AIFF Disciplinary Committee’s decision to impose a full stadium closure for our home fixture on 6 March 2026,” the club said.
The statement continued: “While we have accepted the financial penalty in good faith, we believe closing the stadium unfairly punishes thousands of passionate, law-abiding supporters who are the heartbeat of our club.”
The club further revealed that it had appealed to the AIFF to reconsider the decision. “Mohun Bagan said that it had appealed to the AIFF to reconsider this decision in the interest of our fans, but it has not been accepted,” the statement added.
The development casts a shadow over what was otherwise a successful outing on the pitch for Mohun Bagan. The victory over Chennaiyin FC had strengthened their campaign in the Indian Super League, but attention has now shifted away from footballing matters to disciplinary action and its wider impact on supporters.
With the March 6 fixture set to be played behind closed doors, the focus will remain on how the club and governing body move forward after the controversy.
