Kalyan Chaubey Urges Tata To Reconsider Jamshedpur FC's ISL Withdrawal: 'For The Interest Of Players, Remain In Football'
News sports football Kalyan Chaubey Urges Tata To Reconsider Jamshedpur FC's ISL Withdrawal: 'For The Interest Of Players, Remain In Football' Kalyan Chaubey Urges Tata
News sports football Kalyan Chaubey Urges Tata To Reconsider Jamshedpur FC's ISL Withdrawal: 'For The Interest Of Players, Remain In Football' Kalyan Chaubey Urges Tata To Reconsider Jamshedpur FC's ISL Withdrawal: 'For The Interest Of Players, Remain In Football' Published By, Last Updated: August 06, 2026, 16:04 IST AIFF President Kalyan Chaubey urged Tata group to reconsider Jamshedpur FC's ISL withdrawal, despite Tata's focus on grassroots football. Kalyan Chaubey says he has faith in Tata group. (PTI Photo) All India Football Federation (AIFF) president Kalyan Chaubey has appealed to the Tata group to reconsider its decision to withdraw Jamshedpur FC from the Indian Super League (ISL), saying Indian football would benefit from the company’s continued presence in the country’s top division. The appeal comes even as Tata Steel has maintained that the move is part of a long-term strategic shift back towards grassroots football development rather than a response to the uncertainty surrounding the ISL’s future. Tata Steel vice-president (Corporate Services) D B Sundara Ramam has also stated that the decision has “nothing to do" with the league’s commercial situation and will not be revisited. Despite that clarity, Chaubey expressed hope that the company might yet change its mind. “AIFF would be happy if Tata remains in football, especially in senior top tier football.
If an AIFF request or application can change their mind…the AIFF would like to appeal that for the interest of the players and football, Tata should remain in the senior football league," Chaubey told PTI in an interview. “The AIFF welcomes any suggestion (from them) and is ready to incorporate the suggestions to ensure the best outcome," he said. Tata Steel has assured that Jamshedpur FC will honour all existing player contracts and assist footballers in finding new clubs. Chaubey said he believes the Tata group’s decision was driven by considerations beyond financial factors. “It’s all about, I think, some decision in the boardroom. And I’m sure there are reasons, but it cannot be for Rs 1.1 crore participation fee or management fee. It is not that. When the board decided to withdraw the senior team from the top-tier league, I am sure they had a reason for taking this harsh decision. “They are aware of the football fans’ reaction, but I assume this cannot be only a financial decision because Tata has many enterprises and businesses," he observed. The former India goalkeeper also highlighted Tata’s long-standing contribution to Indian football through the Tata Football Academy (TFA), where he trained during his playing career.
The BriefWire