New Delhi, Aug 2, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Indian football legend Sunil Chhetri has appealed to the Tata Group to reconsider its decision to discontinue Jamshedpur FC’s first-team operations, describing the club’s planned withdrawal from the Indian Super League (ISL) as a major setback for Indian football.
The Tata Group-owned club announced on Friday that it would cease first-team operations after completing its campaign in the ongoing Durand Cup, citing strategic business considerations. The decision effectively marks the club’s exit from the ISL.
Reacting to the development, Chhetri praised the Tata Group’s long-standing contribution to Indian football through the Tata Football Academy (TFA) and later Jamshedpur FC, saying the organisation has remained one of the sport’s strongest pillars.
In a post on social media platform X, Chhetri said the news was “a punch to the gut” and noted that Indian football has long depended on committed stakeholders willing to support the game despite its challenges.
The Bengaluru FC captain said the consequences of the decision would extend beyond the club itself. While players and staff may eventually find new opportunities and the league could continue with one fewer team, he warned that the absence of the Tata Group from top-flight Indian football would leave a void with no comparable replacement.
Appealing directly to the club’s leadership, Chhetri urged the Tata Group to place the long-term interests of Indian football above commercial considerations.
He acknowledged that business decisions are often driven by boardroom realities but expressed hope that the management would “pick heart over head” and reverse the decision, calling it a step that Indian football needs at this crucial stage.
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