ISL 2025-26: Why Is Mohun Bagan Super Giants Playing In Partially Filled Stadium?newsline24

oi-Soumyaroop Mukherjee

Mohun Bagan is facing Odisha FC in front of a partially filled stadium for their fourth home game of the season. This comes after the All India Football Federation’s (AIFF) disciplinary committee fined the Mariners and ordered a partial stadium closure of the Salt Lake Stadium.

The club was initially fined and ordered a full stadium closure for its upcoming ISL game against Odisha FC. “The AIFF Disciplinary Committee, an independent judicial body consisting of retired Supreme Court and High Court justices, formed in accordance with the AIFF Constitution, had, on June 3, 2025, sanctioned Mohun Bagan Super Giants (MBSG) during the 2024-25 season with a ‘stadium closure’ due to multiple violations of spectator misconduct throughout the season, and in particular, during Match No. 163 of the Indian Super League 2024-25, held on April 12, 2025.” the official statement said.

However, the AIFF modified its decision of full closure to a partial closure following a review petition filed by Mohun Bagan. As a result there are several restrictions imposed on the spectators in several parts of the salt lake stadium.

Why Has The Partial Ban Been Imposed On Mohun Bagan Super Giants?

The AIFF Disciplinary Committee has fined Mohun Bagan Super Giant after their supporters used pyrotechnics during the club’s season opener against Kerala Blasters on February 14.

According to the committee, the sanction was imposed following another instance of spectator misconduct, especially since the club had already been issued a one-year suspended sanction in April 2025. In that earlier incident, Mohun Bagan fans were found guilty of setting off fireworks during a home match against Bengaluru FC on April 12, 2025.

At the time, the AIFF had warned the club that any repeat offence during the suspension period would invite stricter disciplinary action.

Following the latest violation during the match against Kerala Blasters, Mohun Bagan Super Giant were officially notified on February 16 and given time to submit their response. After reviewing both the written and oral submissions, the Disciplinary Committee concluded that the club had breached Article 67 of the AIFF Disciplinary Code, along with Rules 7.3.8 and 7.5.4 of the Indian Super League 2025-26 League Rules.

AIFF deputy secretary general M Satyanarayan said in a statement, “As per Article 117 of the AIFF Disciplinary Code, 2024, any party that feels aggrieved by a decision of the AIFF Disciplinary Committee has the right to appeal to the AIFF Appeal Committee. Such an appeal must be filed in accordance with the procedural rules laid down in the Code.”

“Mohun Bagan have sent an email to the AIFF Secretariat this morning requesting the stadium ban be lifted. However, it needs to come through proper channels and procedure as per the provisions of the AIFF Disciplinary Code, 2024,” he added.

Emphasising the importance of the fans in football, the AIFF deputy secretary said, “Fans are one of the key stakeholders of the game, and we appreciate their contribution. However, at the same time, the security and safety of everyone in the stadium is of paramount importance, and it is something that all parties need to ensure.”

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