'A punch to the gut': Sunil Chhetri urges Tata Group to reconsider Jamshedpur FC exit from ISL
New Delhi, August 2
Former India captain Sunil Chhetri has made an emotional appeal to the Tata Group to reconsider its decision to shut down Jamshedpur FC's first-team operations, describing the development as "a punch to the gut" and warning that Indian football cannot afford to lose one of its strongest institutional supporters.
Reacting to the club's decision in a post on X on Sunday, Chhetri reflected on the difficult state of Indian football and the importance of long-term stakeholders.
"It takes a lot to be a stakeholder in Indian football. It has been like that for some time now. But when everything around looks like it will crumble, you bank on family to hold on to each other. And more often than not, it is the elders in the house that you turn to for assurance," Chhetri wrote.
Paying tribute to the Tata Group's contribution to the sport through the Tata Football Academy and later Jamshedpur FC, the veteran striker added, "All of you at the TATA Group, through TFA first, and then @JamshedpurFC, have been one of our pillars."
Expressing his disappointment over the club's withdrawal, Chhetri said, "To know that Jamshedpur has folded first team operations is a punch to the gut."
He also highlighted the immediate impact of the decision on players and staff, noting that while many may eventually find new opportunities, Indian football stands to lose much more.
"The players and staff will be without clubs, and they might find one by the end of it all. The League will have a team less, but the season will go on. However, not having the TATA group involved in the top tier of Indian football - that would be a disaster with no alternative," he said.
Acknowledging that sporting decisions are often influenced by commercial realities, Chhetri nevertheless appealed to the Tata Group to reconsider.
"I understand that some tough decisions in sport are down to what makes sense in the board room. But I can only request and hope that the think tank at TATA picks their heart over head and reconsiders this call. It might be a poor business decision, but it will be the one Indian football needs the most at this hour," he added.
Jamshedpur FC had announced on Friday that it would withdraw from the Indian Super League (ISL) from the 2026-27 season onwards. The decision was confirmed by Jamshedpur Football and Sporting Private Limited (JFSPL), the Tata Steel-owned entity that operates the club.
While confirming its exit from the ISL, JFSPL said it would continue contributing to Indian football through grassroots development and youth programmes, reiterating its commitment to identifying and nurturing young talent across the country.
Founded ahead of the 2017-18 ISL season, Jamshedpur FC spent nine seasons in India's top-flight league. The club's greatest achievement came in the 2021-22 campaign when it won the ISL League Shield under head coach Owen Coyle. It also reached the playoffs in the 2024-25 season under Khalid Jamil.
The club is currently competing in the ongoing Durand Cup, although it remains uncertain whether it will complete the tournament following the announcement of its withdrawal from the ISL.
— ANI
Reader Comments
As someone who has followed ISL since the beginning, losing Jamshedpur FC feels like losing a piece of the league's soul. They weren't just a club - they were a symbol of how corporate India can support football with genuine intent. The boardroom logic makes sense but the emotional damage to the sport's ecosystem is immeasurable.
Honestly, this is a wake-up call for Indian football. If a group like Tata can't sustain a club, what chance do smaller owners have? The AIFF and ISL need to step up and create a more sustainable financial model. Chhetri is absolutely right - the Tatas have been the family elders of Indian football. 😔
It's painful to see this happening. I remember going to watch Jamshedpur FC matches at the Furnace - the atmosphere was electric. The Tata Group's contribution through TFA has produced so many players for the national team. This decision feels like a big step backwards. But I also understand that business realities can't be ignored forever. Still, heartbreaking for Jamshedpur fans.
Football in India needs more Tatas, not fewer. The grassroots work they do at TFA is unmatched. Sunil Chhetri's appeal is emotional but also practical - who else will invest in Indian football with such long-term vision? The league will definitely feel this one. Respect to the Tata family for what they've done, but this move is disappointing.
I appreciate Chhetri's words here. He's calling it as it is - this isn't just about one club, it's about the message it sends to
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