Mohammedan SC withdraw from IFA Shield 2026 after CFL final controversy
Mohammedan SC withdrew from the 126th IFA Shield on September 21, 2026, following a refereeing controversy arising from the Calcutta Football League 2026 final against Mohun Bagan. The IFA Shield was due to begin on 22 September 2026.
Mohammedan SC, nicknamed the Black Panthers, had recently contested the CFL 2026 final with Mohun Bagan and were listed to open their IFA Shield campaign against East Bengal FC on 22 September at 15:00 IST, with ISL side Punjab FC also drawn in the same group. The tournament is described in the report as the third-oldest cup competition after the Durand Cup and Trades Cup. The club's decision to pull out was attributed to the controversy that followed the CFL final.
In the CFL final Mohun Bagan recovered from a deficit to win, with goals from Lalremsanga and Mahitosh Roy cited as decisive. The match also featured a contentious 73rd-minute goal by Sayan Bannerjee that many observers believed to be offside; Bannerjee is identified in the report as Bagan’s latest signing from East Bengal FC.
Mohammedan SC management lodged a major refereeing allegation regarding the final, and after a meeting with the Indian Football Association the club stood by its choice to withdraw from the Shield. IFA President Anirban Dutta said that, "When they came, they told us that if there is no replay, they will not play. And according to the rules of football, there has never been a replay of a match. For offside or for referee’s decision.Because if we follow it, we can say that the referee’s decision is final. There is no change in that." Earlier, Mohammedan SC President Ghazal UZ Zafar said that. "We will not participate in the IFA Shield. Such incidents have happened repeatedly. This is intolerable. We cannot constantly remain in such negative situations."
The withdrawal has created uncertainty for the completed IFA Shield schedule because Mohammedan SC and East Bengal FC were due to kick off the competition; organisers now face a task in managing fixtures. The report states the Indian Football Association must adjust the competition format and schedule, and that some alternative arrangements were being considered after the club’s decision.
The club’s withdrawal was confirmed following a meeting between Mohammedan SC management and the Indian Football Association on September 21, 2026, and the report notes Mohammedan SC intend to take part in the upcoming Indian Football League (IFL) 2026-27 season. As a result, the planned opening fixture between East Bengal FC and Mohammedan SC is now in doubt and the IFA is examining alternative arrangements ahead of the Shield’s scheduled 22 September start.