"Decisions Even Out" Isn’t Enough: FC Goa Demands Answers After BFC Heartbreak

XtraTime Webdesk: How many times can a club be told to just move on after a bad refereeing call? For FC Goa, Friday night’s 2-1 loss against Bengaluru FC at Fatorda was the final show.

The match was heading towards a hard-fought 1-1 draw after early goals from Borja Martínez and Francisco Feuillassier. Then came stoppage time. First, referee Pratik Mondal waved away a strong Goa penalty appeal. Moments later, BFC defender Chinglensana Singh clearly kicked the ball out of play. Everyone in the stadium saw it except the officials.

Bengaluru was handed the throw-in instead. While Goa’s players were still protesting the basic error, BFC took it quickly. Ashique Kuruniyan broke down the left and set up Soham Varshneya for a 90+2' winner. Even Sandesh Jhingan’s furious protests after the goal couldn't change the scoreboard.

On Saturday, FC Goa took things off the pitch. The club wrote formally to the AIFF Referees' Department, the AIFF Secretariat, and the league to flag the poor officiating standards this season.

In a blunt public statement, Goa made it clear this isn't just sour grapes over one loss. They pointed out a worrying pattern of basic mistakes, especially from referees who are new to the league. Rejecting the tired cliché that "decisions even out over a season," the club demanded transparency when mistakes happen, clarity on how referees are assessed, regular talks between clubs and officials, and better mentoring for new referees.

For Indian football to be taken seriously, getting the basics right isn't a luxury it’s a necessity. Now, it raises another crucial question, should AIFF needs to implement FVS or VAR system to get clarity in situations like this?