Churchill Brothers crowned I-League Champions; Inter Kashi to approach CAS

New Delhi: Churchill Brothers were belatedly declared I-League champions on Saturday, securing promotion to the Indian Super League after the AIFF Appeals Committee ruled against second-placed Inter Kashi. In response, the Inter Kashi have now vowed to challenge the decision at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

"As per an order received from the AIFF Appeals Committee on Saturday, April 19, 2025, on the appeal by Namdhari Football Club regarding Match No. 45 of I-League 2024-25, Churchill Brothers FC Goa, who have the highest number of points in the league, are now the champions,” the All India Football Federation (AIFF) said in a statement.

According to a PTI report, Churchill Brothers had provisionally topped the table with 40 points after the final round on April 6. However, their title and ISL promotion hung on the outcome of Inter Kashi’s disputed points from their January 13 match against Namdhari SC, which Namdhari had won 2-0.

The AIFF Disciplinary Committee later awarded Inter Kashi a 3-0 forfeit win and three points, citing that Namdhari fielded an ‘ineligible player’. The decision would have raised Inter Kashi to 42 points, enough to win the title. However, the Appeals Committee suspended the decision, declaring it “inoperative and in abeyance” pending a final hearing.

Following delays, the Appeals Committee overturned the Disciplinary Committee’s order and ruled in favour of Namdhari.

In its verdict, the committee noted: “...Churchill Brothers FC Goa, Inter Kashi, and Namdhari FC has obtained 40 points, 39 points, and 32 points respectively. Accordingly, Churchill Brothers FC Goa, Inter Kashi, and Namdhari FC stands at No. 1, No. 2, and No. 6 respectively at the Points table: I-League 24–25.”

In response to the verdict, Inter Kashi released a statement calling the process “protracted” and signalling their intent to escalate the matter to CAS for a “free and fair” trial. “Inter Kashi welcomes the order of the AIFF Appeals Committee following a protracted process which should have been wrapped up before April 6,” read the statement from the club.

“Inter Kashi will keep no stone unturned to secure justice, and any celebration in the interim may ultimately prove to be premature in nature,” the club statement added.