ISL clubs block Churchill’s entry again

Panaji: Indian Super League (ISL) clubs have told the All India Football Federation that “no expansion or alteration is acceptable at this stage” after the federation sought their views on the inclusion of Churchill Brothers FC in the Indian Super League.

The top-tier ISL kicked off on Feb 14 with 14 teams, including I-League champions Inter Kashi FC. Some teams have played three games already and were surprised to receive an email from AIFF deputy secretary general M Satyanarayan late on Wednesday.

“Given that this issue was previously deliberated upon and aligned in discussions with the AIFF, we are unclear on the basis for reopening the matter,” the clubs said in their response on Thursday, not surprising given that they had previously adopted a similar stand. “The ISL 2025–26 league structure is closed and final. It forms the basis of existing sporting, operational, financial and contractual reliance. No expansion or alteration is acceptable at this stage. Any ad-hoc inclusion of a club outside a recognised sporting pathway is inconsistent with merit-based participation and undermines competitive integrity.”




Churchill have claimed that their legal fight is still not over and that the matter is sub judice. The two-time I-League champions were initially crowned champions last season, before the crown was taken away after Kashi won two appeals at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

In their fresh bid to move to the top tier, Churchill attached support letters from FC Goa and SC Delhi, prompting AIFF to seek feedback from the remaining 12 clubs.

“There exists no articulated regulatory mechanism within the present governance framework permitting mid-cycle structural expansion. Any such action would create uncertainty and set a destabilising precedent across the football pyramid.

“Clubs have irrevocably structured budgets, salary commitments, player registrations, employment contracts, sponsorship arrangements, broadcast schedules and match operations on a fixed competition format. Alteration would impose disproportionate burdens and may give rise to contractual and legal exposure,” said the clubs.

The participating clubs also pointed out that the AIFF executive committee has previously rejected Churchill’s proposal and felt that reopening the issue now lacks regulatory consistency and certainty.

“The two clubs (Goa and Delhi) have themselves stated that they would abide by the decision of the majority of clubs and the AIFF. In the circumstances, and given the surrounding context, it appears those communications may have been made under situational pressure.

“In any event, as the overwhelming majority of participating clubs do not consent to any expansion, and as the federation retains regulatory authority over league composition, this matter ought to be treated as closed,” the clubs said, while seeking formal confirmation that the ISL 2025–26 season shall proceed with the previously approved league structure.