Latest news with #IndianFootball
India Today
6 days ago
- Sport
- India Today
Satyamev Jayate: Inter Kashi reclaim I-League crown after solo CAS battle
When Inter Kashi were finally declared I-League 2024–25 champions, there were no fireworks, no medals, no trophy lifts—just a one-line post on Instagram: Satyamev a club that had its title and promotion stripped by an All India Football Federation (AIFF)-appointed committee in April, the quietness of the moment didn't matter. What mattered was that they were right—and now the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) had confirmed it. Inter Kashi had won the title, fair and will always emerge victorious! #IndianFootball #ILeague #HarHarKashi #Kashi Inter Kashi (@InterKashi) July 18, 2025advertisementSpeaking to India Today after the verdict, club co-founder Aryaman Shukla said: 'Everyone in and around the club understands always believed we were in the right. This just proves it.'The lone fight 'Absolutely,' Aryaman admitted, when asked if the wait disrupted planning. 'We were in limbo—not here, not there. We had ideas, but without clarity, we couldn't act.'The legal path was precise but draining. 'From a procedural point of view, CAS was very efficient. But if it had come sooner, it would've helped not just us, but everyone involved.'And if there was any institutional support along the way? 'This was 100% a solo battle,' Aryaman said. 'If you're talking about external help—there was none.'Congratulations to @InterKashi inon winning their maiden #ILeague title #IndianFootball I-League (@ILeague_aiff) July 18, 2025"The All India Football Federation congratulates Inter Kashi FC on being adjudged champions of I-League 2024-25, in reference to the judgment passed by the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS) on Friday, July 18, 2025," the AIFF statement what now?Now that CAS has ruled in their favour, Inter Kashi are, on record, I-League champions and logically the next team to be promoted to the Indian Super League. But there's a promotion and relegation not fully enforced yet, and the ISL's future structure still unclear, the club's big win has landed in uncertain territory. 'One step at a time,' Aryaman said. 'We've started planning internally again, but we still don't have clarity on the ISL situation.'We knew on April 6thThe World knows todayInter Kashi. Remember the name! #IndianFootball #HarHarKashi #Kashi #ILeague Inter Kashi (@InterKashi) July 18, 2025The long-term uncertainty may have taken some shine off the victory, but for now, Inter Kashi are holding onto what matters most: the league title they earned, and the fight they didn't give up for the fans who stayed loyal throughout?'To our fans—thank you,' Aryaman said. 'We're only in our second season as a club. To have achieved this much already means a lot. But this is just the beginning.'- Ends
Indian Express
6 days ago
- Sport
- Indian Express
More embarrassment for All India Football Federation as international sports court declares Inter Kashi as I-League champions
In April — three weeks after the final round of matches were played — the All India Football Federation (AIFF) handed over the I-League trophy to Churchill Brothers. Three months on, the federation will have to organise another ceremony — and this time hand over the trophy to Inter Kashi. The Switzerland-based Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) rejected the AIFF Appeal Committee's decision to award the title to Churchill Brothers of Goa and declared that Kashi, instead, should be declared the second-division champions. The decision, which came on Friday, will end a months-long saga that overshadowed a nail-biting season. The international sports court's verdict will come as further embarrassment for an under-fire AIFF as it had earlier announced Churchill Brothers as the I-League champions. Their decision came after its Appeal Committee ruled against Inter Kashi in a matter related to the fielding of an 'ineligible player'. The Varanasi club had ended in second spot after points were deducted from their tally. Truth will always emerge victorious! 💪🏼🧡#IndianFootball #ILeague #HarHarKashi #Kashi — Inter Kashi (@InterKashi) July 18, 2025 However, Inter Kashi approached the CAS, which asked the AIFF to reverse its decision. 'The AIFF shall forthwith declare Inter Kashi FC as winner of the I-league 2024-25 season,' the Lausanne-based CAS said in its order, according to the Press Trust of India. 'The appeal filed on 4 June 2025 by Inter Kashi FC against the decision issued on 31 May 2025 by the Appeal Committee of the All-India Football Federation is partially upheld. The decision issued on 31 May 2025 by the Appeal Committee of the All India Football Federation is set aside.' On January 13, Namdhari beat Inter Kashi 2-0 in the I-League. After the match was over, Inter Kashi disputed the result, alleging that Namdhari had fielded an ineligible player, Cledson Carvalho da Silva — also known as Dé. They contended that Dé should have been suspended under the AIFF's rules, claiming he had accumulated four yellow cards through the season. The fact that one of his yellow cards led to a sending-off presented a confusing scenario for the parties involved. It took more than one month for the AIFF's Disciplinary Committee, headed by a former Uttarakhand High Court judge, to announce its verdict. On February 24, the committee upheld Inter Kashi's appeal and handed them a 3-0 win. At that point, it placed Inter Kashi above Churchill Brothers in the title race. Namdhari immediately appealed the decision. The Punjab-based club claimed that the AIFF's portal 'did not show' that the player was suspended for the match and hence, they fielded him. Another month later, on March 27, the AIFF Appeals Committee, headed by a former Allahabad High Court judge, put the earlier decision in abeyance. It meant that Churchill regained their position at the top of the table. The appeals committee said it would continue hearing the case on April 28, long after the league was done and dusted. On April 6, the final day of the I-League, Churchill did just enough against Real Kashmir to finish top of the table with 40 points whereas Inter Kashi defeated Rajasthan United to end the season that afternoon with 39 points. They hoped that if the AIFF's appeals committee gave the verdict in their favour, like the disciplinary panel, they would get the three points and leapfrog Churchill to become champions. Amidst confusion and outcry over the lack of clarity regarding the champions, the appeals committee brought forward the hearing to April 12. And after speaking to all parties, it sided with Namdhari, thus paving the way for Churchill to be crowned the champions on April 20 — two weeks after the league was over. Inter Kashi approached CAS even as the AIFF handed over the trophy to Churchill. Now, with the CAS ruling in their favour, the AIFF will have to take the trophy back from Churchill and hand it over to Inter Kashi.
Indian Express
12-07-2025
- Business
- Indian Express
Indian Super League 2025-26 put on hold; Check AIFF's full statement on ISL
The 2025-26 Indian Super League (ISL) season has been put on hold due to unresolved negotiations over the renewal of the Master Rights Agreement (MRA) between the league's organisers, Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL), and the All India Football Federation (AIFF). FSDL communicated this decision to all ISL clubs in an official letter on Friday. The ISL typically runs from September to April, but the current MRA expires on December 8, 2025 — just three months into the upcoming season. As reported by The Indian Express, the FSDL has written to the ISL clubs that it is unable to effectively 'plan, organise, or commercialise' the 2025-26 ISL season. The letter states that while discussions between the two parties over renewal of the MRA were initiated several months ago, they 'remain inconclusive at this time'. Consequently, FSDL has placed the league 'on hold until further clarity emerges on the contractual framework beyond the current MRA term.' The AIFF has since issued an official statement regarding the suspension. Read AIFF's full statement. The AIFF has taken note of the communication issued pertaining to the Indian Super League (ISL), by our partners Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL), stating their inability to proceed with the forthcoming season of the ISL in the absence of clarity on FSDL's continuing rights under a renewed contractual framework. As per the Master Rights Agreement, the All India Football Federation had, in a timely manner, first initiated the process of requesting negotiations on the terms of a potential renewal with FSDL on November 21, 2024. Thereafter, senior representatives of the AIFF and FSDL convened meetings on February 5, 2025, in New Delhi and subsequently on March 5, 2025, in Mumbai, to discuss the terms of potential renewal of the Master Rights Agreement. Following these deliberations, a proposal was submitted by FSDL on March 5, 2025, to which, AIFF responded with a counter-proposal on April 21, 2025. Soon after, the AIFF was advised by its legal counsel that during a hearing on April 26, 2025, the Hon'ble Supreme Court of India made an observation that the renewal of the Master Rights Agreement should not be done until its order. 🔊 AIFF Statement 🚨#IndianFootball ⚽ — Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) July 12, 2025 Consequently, based on legal advice, discussions between the AIFF and FSDL, renewal discussions have been in abeyance pending further directions from the Hon'ble Supreme Court of India. The AIFF is conscious of the importance of the ISL not only to the football structure in the country, but also to all the clubs, players, support staff, officials and fans, and also recognises the challenges and difficulties posed due to its disruption. At the same time, AIFF respects the law of the land and the direction of the Hon'ble Supreme Court of India. The AIFF and its stakeholders will take all possible steps, and do all things within their power, to ensure continuity of the ISL in the best interests of Indian football. We request the understanding of all stakeholders in the interim.
India Today
12-07-2025
- Business
- India Today
Football federation confirms ISL on hold, awaits top court order to decide fate
The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has officially confirmed that the 2025–26 Indian Super League (ISL) season is on hold — at least for now. In a statement released on July 12, the AIFF said that the current situation is under legal review, and a final decision on whether the ISL will go ahead this season will depend on the Supreme Court's fans had already seen reports of uncertainty around the ISL, the latest update now confirms that planning for the next season is on pause — and the root of the issue lies in the long-standing Master Rights Agreement (MRA) between AIFF and Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL), which runs the Statement #IndianFootball Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) July 12, 2025"The AIFF has taken note of the communication issued pertaining to the Indian Super League (ISL), by our partners Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL), stating their inability to proceed with the forthcoming season of the ISL in the absence of clarity on FSDL's continuing rights under a renewed contractual framework," AIFF wrote in their statement. "Consequently, based on legal advice, discussions between the AIFF and FSDL have been put on hold... The AIFF recognises the importance of the ISL to clubs, players, officials, and fans... While the disruption is challenging, AIFF respects the law and the Supreme Court's direction... All efforts will be made to ensure ISL's continuity in the best interest of Indian football," the statement the AIFF's commercial partner since 2010, has been handling everything from managing and broadcasting to marketing Indian football under a 15-year deal that wraps up in December 2025. As part of the agreement, FSDL pays AIFF Rs 50 crore annually to oversee properties like the national team and the Indian Super with the deal nearing its end and no new contract in place, FSDL informed ISL clubs that it wouldn't be possible to properly plan or execute the 2025–26 season without clarity on what happens next. In other words — they can't move forward without a clear find a way out, FSDL has reportedly suggested a new structure: a holding company to run the ISL. Under this model, the clubs would hold a 60% stake, FSDL would retain 26%, and the remaining 14% would go to AIFF. It's a big shift — but for now, it's still just a proposal, with talks things remain uncertain, AIFF has reassured fans that all parties are working together behind the scenes to find a solution. The final call, though, depends on the Supreme Court's for now, Indian football's biggest league is on pause — stuck in a waiting game, with hopes high for a return soon.- EndsMust Watch
The Hindu
11-07-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Indian Super League officially put on hold as MRA negotiations stall
The Indian Super League (ISL), India's top-tier men's football division, was officially suspended on Friday after discussions regarding the future of the Master Rights Agreement (MRA) failed to reach a resolution. The current MRA is set to expire on December 8, 2025, but with Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL) - the league's organising body - and the All India Football Federation (AIFF) unable to finalise terms for the next agreement, the ISL has been put on hold indefinitely. A formal notice announcing the decision was sent to the AIFF and all ISL clubs on July 11. 'While discussions between FSDL and AIFF on the potential renewal of the MRA were initiated several months ago, they remain inconclusive at this time. In the absence of a confirmed contractual framework beyond December, we find ourselves unable to effectively plan, organise, or commercialise the 2025–26 ISL season,' the notice said. 'Given this situation, we regret to inform you that we are currently not in a position to proceed with the 2025–26 ISL season and are placing it on hold until further clarity emerges on the contractual structure beyond end of current MRA term. We assure you that this decision has not been taken lightly,' it added. A source familiar with the developments told Sportstar, 'Given the circumstances, the league cannot realistically proceed by December. FSDL cannot finalise schedules, engage with media partners, sponsors, or even allow clubs to negotiate with their own sponsors.' 'This communication was sent to acknowledge the reality and ensure transparency—the ISL is on hold until a new contractual framework is agreed upon by all parties,' the source added. 🚨 NEW SPORTSTAR EDITION: FOCUS #IndianFootball 🚨 In the upcoming magazine edition, Sportstar presents a 23-page deep dive on the sorry state of affairs in the Indian football ecosystem. ☠️ How the ISL went from promise to peril ⚽️ I-League's irrelevance - exploring why it's… — Sportstar (@sportstarweb) July 3, 2025 Proposal and Counterproposal In March, FSDL submitted a draft proposal to the AIFF, suggesting the formation of a new holding company, ISL NewCo JV, where: 13 ISL clubs would hold 60% of the stakes FSDL would retain 26% The AIFF would hold the remaining 14%. The proposal also mandated the 'AIFF to recognise in Perpetuity, 'ISL NewCo JV' as the rights holder for India's top national league and NT matches,' the draft states. ALSO READ | AIFF prepones IWL season to help India team prepare for AFC Women's Asian Cup 2026 However, the AIFF, which receives ₹50 crore annually from the current deal, proposed extending the MRA with a 5% yearly increase—a suggestion rejected by FSDL. 'Until the future contractual structure is finalised, the league will be put on hold because obviously, FSDL cannot start a league which it cannot end,' another source added. The decision comes as a catch-22 situation for both the AIFF and FSDL, as the Supreme Court has mandated the Federation not to negotiate a deal until the apex judicial body decides on the AIFF constitution, which is expected on July 18. The communique has had mixed reactions from the clubs, with most reserving their judgement while some focusing on the task at hand at the moment, the Durand Cup, which starts on July 22. Only six of the 13 clubs from the ISL will compete in the tournament. 'It's considerate of FSDL to keep the clubs informed. What they've communicated isn't entirely new to us. There's a difference between the league being put on hold and the season being cancelled,' Mandar Tamhane, the Chief Executive Officer of NorthEast United, said. 'At NorthEast United FC, we are fully focused on preparing to defend our Durand Cup title and remain hopeful that there will be clarity soon,' he added. Meanwhile, the AIFF was not available for comment when Sportstar reached out to them.
