The fate of the AFC Cup group match between Mohun Bagan Super Giant and Bashundhara Kings, scheduled in Bhubaneswar on Tuesday hangs in the balance due to visa complications. According to tournament regulations, the visiting team must arrive two days in advance, but the players of the Bangladeshi club remain in Dhaka, unable to secure visas.
The issue stems from Bashundhara Kings' request for a double-entry visa, necessary for their two matches in India. However, the All India Football Federation (AIFF) had issued an invitation for a single-entry visa, and this decision is reportedly not the fault of the national federation. The club's second match is slated against Odisha FC on December 11, a substantial 50 days following their clash with Mohun Bagan.
The AIFF eventually extended an invitation for a double-entry visa on September 20. Nonetheless, the visa appointment date was set for November 1, as confirmed by the club's president, Mohammad Imrul Hassan.
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In a letter addressed to the Asian Football Confederation's Disciplinary and Ethics Committee, Bashundhara Kings highlighted the visa problem and cited lack of communication and cooperation from the AIFF and the Indian Embassy in Bangladesh as the reasons for the outstanding visa issue, which has yet to be resolved.
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"We have already booked our tickets, and the flight is on October 22, 2023, at 10.15 am, which was informed to all parties in due time. Our accommodation is also booked. All these bookings were made with advance payment, and now it is not possible to change them, so acquiring a new set of tickets of such high volume is unlikely at this late stage," the statement said.
"If we do not receive the visa by 21 October 2023, we will be unable to fly to India to take part in the match between Mohun Bagan Super Giant and Bashundhara Kings,” the letter added.
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On the other hand, Mohun Bagan, leading Group D with two victories from two matches, is determined to honour their commitment and will arrive in Bhubaneswar on Monday morning. In the event that Bashundhara Kings forfeit the match, Mohun Bagan will be awarded a walkover victory with three goals, following the tournament rules.
Mohun Bagan's match is scheduled for a 9.30 pm kick-off on Tuesday, being the second match of the day after Odisha's game against Maziya of the Maldives at 5.30 pm. The reverse fixture for Mohun Bagan against Bashundhara Kings is set for November 7.
Additionally, Bashundhara Kings have a home match against Maziya on November 27, with the team currently in third place, having accumulated three points from two matches, trailing Maziya based on goal difference.