AFC raises doubts over ATKMB tie

Football Confederation (AFC) has told ATK Mohun Bagan that the Kolkata club is “currently unable to fulfil its obligations in respect of the AFC Cup 2022 inter-zone semi-finals”, scheduled for September 7 at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata. FIFA’s suspension of the All India Football Federation (AIFF) on Tuesday means no Indian team can take part in international competitions.

Gokulam Kerala FC have already been left out of next week’s AFC Women’s Club Championship in Uzbekistan and now ATK Mohun Bagan could suffer the same fate, if the suspension is not lifted at the earliest. “As stated in the FIFA circular and in accordance with Article 13 of the FIFA statutes, with effect from August 14, 2022, the AIFF has lost all of its membership rights.

The AIFF representative and club teams are therefore no longer entitled to participate in international competitions until the suspension is lifted. “Accordingly, in view of the aforementioned decision, we note that ATK Mohun Bagan is currently unable to fulfil its obligations in respect of the AFC Cup 2022 (InterZone semifinals),” AFC general secretary Datuk Seri Windsor John wrote in an email to AIFF acting general secretary Sunando Dhar on Friday.

Crucially, AFC has not yet cancelled the match but instead said it “will continue to monitor this situation closely.” A copy of the email has been sent to the club. ATK Mohun Bagan will take on the winners of Kuala Lumpur City FC and Indonesia’s PSM Makassar next month.

Last year, the Kolkata giants suffered a humiliating 0-6 defeat at the hands of Uzbekistan’s FC Nasaf at the same stage of the AFC Cup, Asian football’s second-tier club competition after the AFC Champions League. Playing at home, and in front of fans this time