MBSG will play their upcoming home match against Odisha FC on March 5 at an empty Salt Lake Stadium. (Photo/AIFF) NEW DELHI: The All India Football Federation (AIFF) disciplinary committee has fined Mohun Bagan Super Giants and ordered partial closure of the Salt Lake Stadium for using “multiple incidents of pyrotechnics” during their season opener against Kerala Blasters on February 14.Thus, MBSG will play their upcoming home match against Odisha FC on March 5 at an empty Salt Lake Stadium.
ISL Highlights: Mohun Bagan Super Giant vs Chennaiyin FC
In a statement, the AIFF’s disciplinary committee explained that the punishment was imposed for further “spectator misconduct” as the club was cautioned and given a one-year suspended sanction in April 2025. Mohun Bagan fans were found guilty of setting off fireworks during a home match against Bengaluru FC by a replay on 12 April 2025. They were then warned that they would be punished.Following the latest offence, MBSG was notified on February 16 and given until February 21 to respond in writing. A week later, on 28 February, the disciplinary committee considered the written and oral submissions and found that the club had breached Article 67 of the Code, read with Rules 7.3.8 and 7.5.4 of the Indian Super League Rules 2025-26.AIFF Deputy General Secretary M Satyanarayan said in a statement: “Under Article 117 of the AIFF Disciplinary Rules 2024, any party aggrieved by the decision of the AIFF Disciplinary Committee has the right to appeal to the AIFF Appeal Committee. Such appeal must be made in accordance with the procedural rules.”“Mohun Bagan has sent an e-mail to the AIFF secretariat this morning asking for the stadium ban to be lifted. However, it has to go through the proper channels and procedure as per the provisions of the AIFF Disciplinary Rules 2024,” he said. “Fans are one of the key players in the game and we appreciate their contribution. However, at the same time, the safety and security of everyone in the stadium is paramount and is something that all parties must ensure.”
‘The fans deserve better’
Earlier in the day, MBSG said he accepted the fine and the spectator ban for the upcoming home match.“The AIFF Disciplinary Committee has charged Mohun Bagan Super Giant for alleged spectator misconduct during a match against Chennaiyin FC. While the club has responsibly accepted the financial penalty imposed, the AIFF has gone to the extreme of ordering a COMPLETE closure of the stadium for our home match against Odisha FC on March 6, 2026,” Mohun Bagan said in a statement.“We are deeply disappointed by the decision of the AIFF Disciplinary Committee to impose a complete stadium closure for our home match on March 6, 2026.“While we have accepted the financial penalty in good faith, we believe that the closure of the stadium will unfairly penalize the thousands of passionate, law-abiding supporters who are at the heart of our club,” it added.The club said its call for the ban to be reconsidered was “in the interest of our fans”. “Football belongs to the fans. They deserve better,” it read.Mohun Bagan Super Giants are currently on top of the ISL table with three wins from three matches, ahead of Jamshedpur FC on goal difference.
