Six clubs question integrity of officiating in I-League

Panaji: Six of the 12 I-League clubs have intimated the All India Football Federation’s disciplinary committee about grave concerns regarding the integrity of officiating during the season which concluded without a winner last week.

Churchill Brothers, Real Kashmir, Delhi FC, Sreenidi Deccan, Namdhari FC and Aizawl FC have jointly written a letter to the disciplinary committee where they pointed out six instances of decisions going Inter Kashi’s way, raising “serious concerns regarding the integrity and impartiality of match officiating.”

Kashi finished a point behind “provisional leaders” Churchill but can finish as champions if a pending AIFF appeals committee decision is in their favour.

“While we understand that refereeing is overseen by an independent body and the AIFF has no direct influence over refereeing appointments or in-game decisions, the recurring pattern of glaring officiating errors —most, if not all, disproportionately benefiting one particular club, Inter Kashi — raises serious concerns regarding the integrity and impartiality of match officiating,” the clubs said in a letter April 11, signed by officials of all six clubs.

The clubs have also appealed to the disciplinary committee to take note of ethical malpractices of Kashi with one “official being in indirect communication with various clubs as well as AIFF officials, allegedly seeking unethical favours in favour of Inter Kashi.”

The clubs did not name the official, the clubs or AIFF officials who were contacted.

The six clubs, however, listed six instances where they pointed out “officiating inconsistencies and their material impact on match outcomes.” According to the letter, evidence of refereeing errors in favour of Kashi included games against Rajasthan United (handball resulting in goal) and Sreenidi Deccan (goal disallowed in 97th minute), both officiated by the same referee.

Against Namdhari, the clubs said, a clear goal-scoring opportunity was denied, while Delhi pointed to a questionable red card which was later overturned by the disciplinary committee.

Other instances included a red card offence against Real Kashmir and the referee abruptly stopping play and awarding a penalty after Aizawl player “executed a clean tackle and initiated a counterattack.”

“We trust the AlFF and its disciplinary committee to take this representation with the seriousness it deserves. This is not merely about a few decisions, it is about the foundational principles of fairness, impartiality, and the trust that all stakeholders place in the league's governance,” said the clubs.