India’s top footballers have publicly appealed to FIFA, warning that the sport in the country is facing “permanent paralysis” due to a failure of basic administration. Actor and football club co-owner John Abraham responded to the players’ appeal with a blunt message: “Shame on us... this is what we have come to.” Their words point to the collapse of a national system that, despite widespread public interest in football, still cannot provide Indian players with stable competitions, professional security or a functioning league.