FC Goa suspend first team operations amid ISL uncertainty: 'We have no alternative'

After Bengaluru FC, FC Goa too have suspended their first team operations as the crisis in Indian football continues to remain unresolved. The decision to suspend operations was communicated with the players, coach and support staff on Monday, the Times of India reported.

According to the report, the CEO of the club Ravi Puskur informed this in an online meeting on Monday. The club was last in action on December 24 when they played in the AFC Champions League 2.

FC Goa CEO says ’tried everything’ before suspending operations

The Gaurs won the inaugural Indian Super League (ISL) shield in the 2019-20 season and have been a strong force in the competition. Last season, FC Goa finished second behind winners Mohun Bagan. The club also secured a record-extending third Super Cup title last month by defending the trophy in a thrilling final against East Bengal. However, the crisis has forced the club to take the decision to put their first team operations on rest.

“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,” CEO Puskur was quoted as saying by the Times of India.

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“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," he added.

At the start of our AFC Champions League Two match, FC Goa’s players briefly paused active play for the opening seconds as a symbolic gesture to highlight the uncertainty currently affecting Indian football.

This action was solely intended to draw attention to the broader… pic.twitter.com/sTiEgSj5KQ

— FC Goa (@FCGoaOfficial) December 24, 2025

In their last outing on December 24 at the continental stage, FC Goa had paused play during the opening seconds against FC Istiklol of Tajikistan at Margao as a symbolic gesture highlighting the crisis in Indian football. The Gaurs lost the match 1-2 and failed to qualify for the next round of the competition with six losses in their six games.

ISL latest update

As for the ISL, AIFF has reportedly got a nod from its finance committee to spend up to Rs 7 crore for the upcoming season of the league. The federation is expected to bear the costs of broadcast and refereeing, with efforts underway to get the league underway without any further delay.

As per the report in the Times of India, AIFF has now called for an emergency executive committee meeting on Tuesday. The meeting has been called up “to discuss matters related to the organisation of the ISL and I-League for the 2025–2026 short-term edition."