FC Goa fall to Istiklol as

players pause play over ISL uncertainty
MARGAO: FC Goa players briefly paused play in the opening seconds of their AFC Champions League Two match against FC Istiklol on Wednesday to symbolically highlight the uncertainty surrounding the Indian Super League (ISL).
Already eliminated, FC Goa lost 1-2 to the Tajikistan side, ending their campaign with six defeats from six matches.
“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,” the club said on X.
“This action was solely intended to draw attention to the broader challenges facing the domestic football ecosystem. It was not directed at our opponents FC Istiklol, the AFC, or the AFC Champions League Two, all of whom we respect greatly.
“The gesture carried no element of protest against the competition or its stakeholders and was made in good faith, without any intent to cause offence or disruption.”
Indian football has been in turmoil since FSDL informed the AIFF in July that the ISL was on hold due to uncertainty over renewal of the 15-year Master Rights Agreement, which expired on December 8.