FC Goa have suspended their first team operations as the ongoing crisis in Indian football remains unresolved. The move comes shortly after Bengaluru FC took a similar step. The decision was communicated to players, coaches, and support staff on Monday, according to a report by the Times of India.
The report said FC Goa CEO Ravi Puskur informed the squad about the decision during an online meeting. FC Goa were last seen in action on December 24. They played FC Istiklol of Tajikistan in the AFC Champions League 2.
crisis forces FC Goa to take tough call
FC Goa have been one of the most successful teams in recent Indian football. They won the ISL Shield in the 2019–20 season. Last season, they finished second in the league behind Mohun Bagan. The club also defended their Super Cup title last month to win the trophy for a record third time.
Despite this success, the current situation has forced the club to pause operations. Ravi Puskur explained that the club tried every possible way to keep things running in a normal and stable manner. He said the decision was not taken lightly and came after dealing with extremely difficult conditions.
He further stated that the larger deadlock in Indian football has continued for a long time without any solution. Due to the ongoing uncertainty and after reviewing all possible options, the club felt it had no choice left but to suspend first team activities immediately. He added that the move was taken with a strong sense of responsibility and care.
In their final match on December 24, FC Goa made a symbolic protest. The team paused play in the opening seconds against FC Istiklol to highlight the crisis. They lost the match 1-2 and ended the continental campaign with six defeats in six matches.
Meanwhile, there has been movement around the ISL. The AIFF has reportedly received approval to spend up to Rs 7 crore for the upcoming season. The federation is expected to cover broadcast and refereeing costs. An emergency executive committee meeting has been called on Tuesday to discuss plans for the 2025–26 ISL and I-League season.
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