The Indian football fraternity has united in support of Jamshedpur FC after the club announced its decision to discontinue its first-team operations last Friday. This decision has shocked Indian football fans as Jamshedpur FC has been a key part of the Indian Super League (ISL).

Current and former India internationals, including Sunil Chhetri and Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, have joined Jamshedpur FC players in urging the Tata Group to reconsider its decision.

Jamshedpur FC confirmed on Friday that it would pull out of the ISL after missing the deadline to pay the participation fee for the upcoming 2026-27 season, which is scheduled to begin on September 4.

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The decision comes amid financial concerns, with the Tata Group choosing to withdraw from the club, bringing an end to nearly a decade of its presence in Indian football.

The announcement has left players, coaching staff, and fans devastated, with many taking to social media to express their disappointment.

Several current and former foreign footballers associated with the club have also appealed to the management to reverse its decision and continue the team's journey in the ISL.

Players Appeal To Tata Group

Veteran midfielder Pronay Halder, who was part of Jamshedpur FC's League Winners' Shield triumph in the 2021-22 season, admitted the news came as a complete surprise.

"It was shocking news for me. I didn't expect the Tata Group to make such a decision. It is my humble request that they change their decision and participate in the ISL. Because this is a huge platform for an entire generation," Halder said.

The 33-year-old has a deep connection with the club, having spent six seasons with Jamshedpur FC after graduating from the Tata Football Academy.

India goalkeeper Albino Gomes echoed Halder's sentiments, stressing that the issue extends far beyond one football club.

"Shutting down this club means... I can't digest it. I just want to appeal to the Tata Group to reconsider their decision. Because this isn't about one year or two years, it's about the future of Indian football," Gomes said.

Sunil Chhetri, Gurpreet Singh Sandhu Stand With JFC

India captain Sunil Chhetri described the development as "a punch to the gut" and urged the Tata Group to remain involved in Indian football despite the financial challenges.

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“To know that Jamshedpur has folded first-team operations is a punch to the gut. 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," Chhetri wrote in a heartfelt statement on X.

Senior India goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, along with Lallianzuala Chhangte and other Indian players, also backed the players' appeal, joining several Indian internationals and former Jamshedpur FC footballers in calling on the club's owners to rethink their decision.

Apart from affecting the livelihoods of players and staff, the club has played a crucial role in nurturing young talent through the Tata Football Academy and has been one of the league's most professionally run outfits since joining the ISL in 2017.

Tata Group have not given any statement after these appeals. The question now remains: will they reconsider their decision and keep Jamshedpur FC alive in the Indian Super League?