‘We are also trying to provide for our family’: Sandesh Jhingan faces another crisis as ISL

File photo of FC Goa player Sandesh Jhingan. (ISL) New Delhi: At least 148 players in India’s top tier will be out of contract at the end of the month, according to the All India Football Federation’s (AIFF) centralized registration system. Clubs are cautious about offering extensions due to the uncertainty of the future. One of these players is Indian captain Sandesh Jhingan.The FC Goa defender cannot discuss his future beyond June, when the Indian team will play the Unity Cup, followed by friendlies against Palestine and Tajikistan.“I was asked a few days back what’s the plan?” and I said, ‘We’ll have an international team in June and then, I don’t know, pack up and go to Chandigarh,'” the centre-back said.“After this season, you don’t know where to go. There’s pain and it’s easy to judge from the outside that we’re spoiled, spoiled, but we’re also trying to raise a family, provide for them,” he continued.The 32-year-old has traveled the country, played in several divisions, won two titles in the Super Cup (with FC Goa) and the Federation Cup (with FC Bengaluru). His journey in the Indian Super League (ISL) also saw him play for Kerala Blasters and ATK Mohun Bagan.

File photo of FC Goa defender Sandesh Jhingan (L). (ISL)

The unknown feeling of not knowing what will happen next unsettled not only Jhingan but the entire ecosystem. There is no plan for the 2026-27 season as the AIFF struggles to find a new commercial partner, with clubs disagreeing and proposing their own models.Unfortunately for Indian football, it has been in a similar situation before. After the FSDL contract expired in December, the clubs and the AIFF could not agree on many aspects until the Sports Ministry intervened. Finally, the shortened season began on February 14 and ends on Thursday, when the title fight goes to the last day.Despite the excitement of the title race – which has five clubs in contention – the reality is looming that unless economic realities change, clubs could be forced out of business.“I have the same stress,” admitted Jhingan when asked to compare the current scenario with that of December-January. “But you try to keep a smile on your face because you’re the strong one. For any neutral, it should be (worse) than January.”“We had some hope then that the league would start one way or another. But now we are facing a shutdown. Many jobs will be taken away,” he said.However, he tries to keep a brave face as a leader and serves as Sandesh ‘Paaji’ to youngsters like Boris Singh. Twenty-six-year-old Boris hails from Imphal and, like Sandesh, is out of contract at the end of the month.

Boris Singh (R) of FC Goa in training. (Instagram)

“The league and the AIFF need to discuss this issue as soon as possible. I can’t say anything because it’s not in my hands. So I think they should resolve the issue as soon as possible for the players who have worked. And there are a lot of people working behind the club as well. We are worried. I am worried. Everyone is worried.”“We discuss it in the dressing room when we have time. So it’s a bit frustrating. But I just hope that everything happens soon, for the next 15-20 years, I don’t know, whatever they plan,” said Boris.In this situation, he turns to ‘Sandesh Paaji’ to help him.“I asked Sandesh Paaji, ‘When will we know there’s going to be another season?’ He tells me that there will definitely be a league, but we don’t know when we will start. And they (AIFF) discussed with many commercial partners and the clubs would agree, AIFF would agree, both would agree. But he doesn’t know that either, you know. He says, ‘Don’t worry, everything will be fine, the solution will come soon.'”“Hope the situation will improve for Indian players”

Serbian Dejan Dražić’s contract at FC Goa expires on May 31. (Instagram)

The terrible situation also concerns the Serb Dejan Dražič. The left winger has played 12 games in this season’s ISL, scoring six goals and adding three assists. With his contract set to expire on May 31, the 30-year-old does not know if he will add to his tally at FC Goa.“Football is the most famous sport in the world. Countries like India, with a lot of people, with a great future, don’t have a normal league, or they don’t know the future of football. When people from Europe ask what happened, I don’t know what to say,” said Dražič.The Serb-Croat is aware of the privileges he has thanks to his EU passport. Having joined FC Goa from Cypriot club Ethnikos in 2024, Drazic knows he has the option to return to Europe and continue playing – an option that is not easy for the Indians in the squad.

When people from Europe ask what happened, I don’t know what to say

FC Goa’s Dejan Drazic on the state of Indian football

“It’s not easy to leave India for an Indian player. For me, I can find options, but for them it’s very difficult. And that’s what I can’t understand, that nobody cares about them. If one club disappears, imagine how many families will be affected. This is unacceptable,” he added.With the option to explore his future elsewhere, Drazic has decided to stay put for the time being as far as FC Goa is concerned. Meanwhile, Boris is not averse to considering offers from Europe or Asia if the project appeals to him.Jhingan, who has 73 caps for India, will link up with the national team for the pre-Unity Cup camp in the UK and the AIFF-Club standoff will remain a strong undertone.“You can have your opinion, I showed it after it all started in September, also very openly. I don’t know about other things, at least my opinion can have an impact, but am I involved in the decision? No. There are people who make decisions… but that’s how it is,” Jhingan finished.

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