Mohammedan Sporting has withdrawn from the 2026 IFA Shield in protest against refereeing decisions during its Calcutta Football League (CFL) match against Mohun Bagan Super Giant.
The decision follows Saturday’s crucial CFL encounter between the two Kolkata clubs, where the league title was at stake. A victory for either team would have secured the championship, but Mohammedan suffered a 2-3 defeat despite Mohun Bagan being reduced to 10 players.
Mohammedan has raised objections over the officiating in the match, claiming that poor refereeing decisions played a role in the result.
According to sources, the club subsequently approached the Indian Football Association (IFA) and requested that the match be replayed. The governing body, however, turned down the request.
Following the rejection, Mohammedan decided to withdraw from the upcoming IFA Shield. Calcutta Customs Club has now been brought into the competition as its replacement.
The withdrawal has also forced organisers to revise the tournament schedule. Mohammedan had initially been scheduled to face East Bengal in the opening match on Tuesday. Under the revised programme, the competition will instead begin on Wednesday, September 23, with Mohun Bagan facing Sreenidi Deccan at 3 pm.
Calcutta Customs will play its first match against East Bengal on September 24 before meeting Punjab FC on September 27.
Group A will now feature East Bengal FC, Calcutta Customs Club and Punjab FC. Group B consists of Mohun Bagan Super Giant, NorthEast United and Sreenidi Deccan.
After the opening two matches, Sreenidi Deccan will face NorthEast United on September 26. NorthEast United will then meet Mohun Bagan on September 29, while Punjab FC and East Bengal will complete the group-stage schedule on September 30.
Both semifinals are scheduled to take place on October 4, although the participating teams will be decided by the results of the group stage.
The date and other details for the IFA Shield 2026 final have not yet been announced.
Mohammedan’s withdrawal means one of Kolkata football’s prominent clubs will be absent from the competition, while Calcutta Customs gets an opportunity to compete in Group A following the late change.
