Relief for Inter Kashi as CAS orders AIFF not to declare Churchill Brothers as I-League champions or organise medal ceremony
The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), which is the top court to adjudicate sports disputes internationally, has asked the All India Football Federation to hold off on declaring Churchill Brothers as the I-League champions. The CAS stayed the AIFF's decision while hearing an appeal from Inter Kashi. A ruling from the Deputy President of the CAS Appeals Arbitration Division Sport stated: 'The All India Football Federation is ordered not to declare the winner of the I-League 2024/2025 or organise a medal ceremony for the I-League 2024-25 until the present arbitration has been concluded.'
The dispute was born because in an I League game, Kashi's opponents Namdhari FC reportedly fielded an ineligible player against the club. At the end of the season, Inter Kashi and Churchill Brothers found themselves in a limbo in the points table. Churchill were on top of the standings with 40 points after 22 rounds, while Inter Kashi had 39. The I League winner secures an entry into the ISL. But Inter Kashi appealed the final standings to AIFF, whose Appeals Committee then decided in favour of the Goan club and officially crowned Churchill Brothers as the champions.
The Uttar Pradesh club came into existence in 2023.
The CAS ruling further stated: 'The application for provisional measures filed by Inter Kashi FC in the matter CAS 2025/A/11374 Inter Kashi FC vs AIFF and Churchill Brothers FC Goa and Namdhari FC is granted. The decision rendered by the Appeal Committee of All India Football Federation rendered on 18 April, 2025 is stayed.'
CAS also said that the All India Football Federation, Churchill Brothers FC Goa and Namdhari FC are granted a time
limit till April 29 to file a full reply to Inter Kashi's application.
The order also stated that the costs of the present Order shall be determined in the final award or in any other final disposition of this arbitration.
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