Players urge Tata Group to reverse Jamshedpur FC ISL exit

Indian football legend Sunil Chhetri has described the withdrawal of Jamshedpur FC from the Indian Super League as "a punch to the gut," joining the club's players in a public appeal for owners Tata Group to reconsider the decision. The club, owned by Tata Steel through Jamshedpur Football and Sporting Private Limited, announced on July 31 that it would cease first-team operations and not participate in the upcoming 2026-27 ISL season.

The decision followed the club missing a deadline for payment of a participation fee. The league's upcoming season, which is scheduled to begin on September 4, will now proceed with 13 teams. In a statement, the club said it would continue to promote and develop football at the grassroots level despite its exit from the top flight.

The announcement has sent shockwaves through the Indian football community. A day after the news broke, several Jamshedpur FC players, led by defender Pratik Chaudhari, released an emotional video appeal. In the video, posted on August 1, visibly distressed players pleaded with the Tata Group leadership to rethink the move. Chaudhari stated the team was informed the club would shut operations after the ongoing Durand...