Panaji: FC Goa have officially informed their players, coach and support staff that the club is suspending all first team operations with immediate effect.Club CEO Ravi Puskur had an online meeting with the first team on Monday evening where the “difficult decision” was communicated.“As a club, we have done everything within our control to keep operations functioning as normally and consistently as possible, despite the extraordinary circumstances around us,” said Puskur. “However, as you are all aware, the wider impasse in Indian football continues without resolution. Given the prolonged uncertainty, and after careful consideration of all available options, we have reached the point where we have no alternative but to suspend all first team operations with immediate effect. This has truly been a last resort, taken with a heavy sense of responsibility and care.”Goa were active till Dec 24 when they played their AFC Champions League Two concluding group-stage clash against FC Istiklol at Fatorda. It was here that the players refused to kick off the ACL2 clash as they squatted on the field, while their opponents from Tajikistan watched in bewilderment.Goa players paused active play for the opening seconds as a symbolic gesture to highlight the uncertainty currently affecting Indian football. The club’s action was intended to draw attention to the broader challenges facing the domestic football ecosystem.The three-member AIFF committee appointed by the general body has suggested that the federation finalise the short-term competition format for the Indian Super League (ISL) in consultation with the clubs, and in the absence of consensus, exercise its authority as league owner to finalise the format without permitting further delay or digression.The panel recommended that AIFF should bear the cost of refereeing and broadcast production for this season’s ISL.According to sources, the AIFF’s finance committee which met on Monday morning has given the go ahead for the governing body to spend up to Rs 7 crore towards the top-tier league. The federation has now called for an emergency executive committee meeting on Tuesday “to discuss matters related to the organisation of the ISL and I-League for the 2025–2026 short-term edition.”
