FC Goa demand greater accountability from AIFF after refereeing errors in 2-1 loss to Bengaluru
FC Goa lost 2-1 to Bengaluru FC at the Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Fatorda, Goa, on Friday in the Indian Super League 2026-27 and have formally written to the AIFF Referees’ Department, the AIFF Secretariat and the league to demand greater accountability over refereeing errors.
At the post-match presentation FC Goa captain Sandesh Jhingan pointed to an officiating error and the club’s brief stated its concerns were "not about any single decision or result" but about a season-long pattern in basic decisions, consistency and the preparation of officials, particularly those new to the league. The immediate triggers cited were a stoppage-time challenge in Bengaluru’s box where Malsawmsanga went down under Rickey Meetei’s challenge and was booked after referee Pratik Mondal waved away the appeal, and a disputed throw-in that led to Soham Varshneya’s 90+3rd-minute winner after Bengaluru restarted play despite replays suggesting the ball had last touched a Bengaluru player.
Per the brief, the club has asked the AIFF for concrete measures and visible improvements, including publication of a formal response and timetable; a commitment to explain major decisions and acknowledge clear errors; and transparency on how referees are appointed and assessed. FC Goa also called for regular club-referee forums and a mentoring structure for newer officials, and requested that the governing body publish a feasibility plan for video review, even if implemented in phases.
The club rejected the standard defence that errors "even out" over a season and set out three reasons: errors do not distribute evenly — a stoppage-time throw-in can decide a match while a missed offside in a 4-0 win has negligible effect; points lost through a late penalty or decisive mistake cannot be restored by later decisions; and treating officiating as a lottery undermines predictability that matters to sponsors, broadcasters, investors and players.
FC Goa pointed to recent examples they say support their position, noting Mohun Bagan Super Giant were denied what looked like a clear penalty against Odisha FC for a handball earlier in the week and recalling their own formal complaint in January 2022 seeking clarification over decisions in matches against Kerala Blasters and NorthEast United. The club also referenced a 2020 comment by the AIFF general secretary that there had been refereeing problems "not just this season but previously too" and that patience was needed while referees were developed.
The brief acknowledged constraints on domestic officials, saying Indian referees operate under intense scrutiny with limited professional pathways and little exposure to high-level match volume, and that the league currently lacks an effective review mechanism for decisions that replays make obvious. FC Goa argued punitive measures or scapegoating would be counterproductive, that technology requires trained operators and clear protocols, and that the long-term solution is investment in training, assessment and communication requiring cooperation between clubs, the AIFF and league organisers.
After the defeat FC Goa sit 6th in the ISL table with 1 win, 2 draws and 1 loss from four games, and the club has demanded visible action; the question now is whether the AIFF answers it.