CAS stays I-League title verdict, but Churchill get trophy from AIFF

Panaji: Just when you thought all the drama surrounding this season’s I-League champions was over, Sunday threw up more twists and turns in the battle between Churchill Brothers and second-placed Inter Kashi.

It all started with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) staying the all-important decision of the All India Football Federation’s appeals committee to take away the three points that were previously awarded to Inter Kashi since Namdhari FC were adjudged to have fielded an ineligible player in their 2-0 win at home. The order by Elizabeth Steiner, deputy president of the CAS’s Appeals Arbitration Division, also asked the AIFF “not to declare the winner of the I-League 2024-25 or organise a medal ceremony for the I-League until the present arbitration has been concluded.”

The Switzerland-based independent CAS is tasked with resolving legal disputes in the field of sport through arbitration. AIFF, Churchill and Namdhari have been given time till April 29 to file a full reply to Inter Kashi’s application for provisional measures.

Churchill, however, were crowned champions later in the day with AIFF deputy secretary general M Satyanarayan handing over the trophy to captain Lamgoulen Hangshing and the medals to the team members at a city hotel in South Goa.

The AIFF later clarified that they were unaware of the CAS order, until after the conclusion of the trophy ceremony.

“The AIFF would like to clarify that, with regard to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) order, due to a holiday in the AIFF Secretariat, the federation was only informed of the order at a time when the ceremony had already been concluded in Goa,” the AIFF said in a statement late on Sunday. “The AIFF remains committed to adhering to all regulatory and legal processes and will take appropriate action.”

The AIFF had previously ignored an email from a Geneva-based law firm representing Inter Kashi at CAS to postpone the medal ceremony until the CAS Panel has finally resolved the dispute.

Churchill said they had plans to celebrate the I-League title victory with a trophy reception at the Panchayat ground, Raia, where they played all home games this season, but changed plans due to the death of Pope Francis and the terror attack in Pahalgam.

“The prospect of receiving the I-League Trophy after securing the top position with 40 points following our draw against Real Kashmir FC in Srinagar on April 6, 2025, in accordance with AIFF regulations, would have been a moment of immense joy. However, that was not the case. We were compelled to seek legal intervention. Following the directives of competent legal authorities, the AIFF eventually agreed to award us the trophy,” Churchill said on Sunday.

The club said the AIFF presented them with two options: receiving it on May 2, 2025, during the Super Cup in Bhubaneswar, or having their representatives hand it over in Goa.

“Having withdrawn from the Super Cup, we deemed it inappropriate to participate in any related events. Opting to receive the trophy in Goa allowed us the opportunity to invite the local media, ensuring that this achievement could be shared with the entire state. The trophy, first and foremost, belongs to our dedicated players, coaching staff and all other officials of the team who have worked very hard to make this dream come true.

“Regrettably, the unfortunate and avoidable delays have resulted in the absence of most of the squad today. Only few players along with a few members of our coaching staff, are present from our approximately 30-member team. This is deeply disappointing, as each individual worked tirelessly for this victory,” said Churchill.

Churchill finished the league with 40 points, one more than second-placed Inter Kashi. The three disputed points hold the key to deciding the eventual champions, who would move to the top-tier Indian Super League (ISL) on sporting merit.