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India Today
29-04-2025
- Politics
- India Today
AIFF asks Churchill to return I-League trophy; Goa chief demands probe
The All India Football Federation (AIFF) on Monday asked Churchill Brothers to return the I-League trophy it presented to the club, even as Goa Football Association (GFA) questioned the rationale behind awarding the silverware despite a stay order from the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).On Sunday, hours after Switzerland-based CAS stayed AIFF's decision to declare Churchill Brothers as I-League champions and barred it from conducting any formal medal ceremony, the national federation awarded the winners trophy to the Goan Deputy Secretary General M Satyanarayan presented the trophy to Churchill Brothers players and later claimed that the federation learned about the CAS order only after the ceremony was over, as its secretariat was closed on Sunday. But on Monday, the AIFF was forced to ask Churchill to return the trophy."On Monday, we have written to Churchill Brothers to return the I-League trophy," an AIFF source told PTI on condition of anonymity."We are bound to obey the CAS order. Let the CAS decide on the matter, and we will hand over the trophy after the decision."Meanwhile, GFA President Caitano Fernandes on Monday wrote a letter to the AIFF Executive Committee members to hold an "urgent inquiry on the potential disregard of the CAS order.""...the decision to proceed with the presentation in apparent disregard of a CAS directive brings serious embarrassment to AIFF. Ignoring a CAS order would undoubtedly have severe consequences for the AIFF and the reputation of Indian football on the international stage," Fernandes wrote in the I implore the esteemed members of the Executive Committee to treat this matter with utmost seriousness it deserves. A comprehensive and impartial probe must be launched immediately to rationale behind proceeding with the event."He also claimed that he was not provided any communication regarding the I-League trophy presentation after he was initially invited for the formal ceremony on Sunday. He said by doing so, the AIFF has shown an "unacceptable level of mistreatment towards the GFA.""On the evening of April 26th... I received an e-mail from Mr Satyanaryanan inviting me, in my capacity as GFA president and member of League Committee to attend the trophy presentation scheduled to take place in Goa on April 27th. The e-mail stated that the venue and specific schedule would be confirmed upon his arrival in Goa," he said he received no further communication regarding the trophy presentation and later came to know that the ceremony has already taken place "completely bypassing the involvement and presence of GFA."He demanded a comprehensive and impartial probe into the reasons behind the failure to communicate the presentation details to GFA and the "utter disregard shown to the GFA".Asked about Fernandes' claim, Satyanarayan said, "It was unintentional (development). The trophy was to be presented on April 26 initially but Churchill said to be done on April (Churchill) also did not give any venue initially. So, I myself did not know the venue beforehand."Later, Churchill also wanted the ceremony to be a small one. I just landed in Goa and straightway went to the venue to present the trophy. So, there was no intention on my part to cause any inconvenience to Mr Fernandes."Churchill Brothers had finished provisionally on top of the table with 40 points after the final round on April 6. But, their title and Indian Super League promotion were subject to the outcome of Inter Kashi's disputed points from their January 13 match against Namdhari SC, which the latter had won AIFF Disciplinary Committee had awarded a 3-0 forfeit win and three points to Inter Kashi after ruling that Namdhari fielded an 'ineligible player'.That decision would have taken Inter Kashi to 42 points, enough to clinch the title. However, the AIFF Appeals Committee later put the Disciplinary Committee order "inoperative and in abeyance" pending a final a delayed process, including a postponed April 12 hearing due to Namdhari's counsel citing "sickness", the AIFF's Appeals Committee on April 18 set aside the Disciplinary Committee's order and ruled in favour of the basis of its Appeal Committee ruling, the AIFF had declared Churchill Brothers as I-League champions.
The Print
27-04-2025
- Sport
- The Print
AIFF awards I-League trophy to Churchill despite CAS stay order
All India Football Federation (AIFF) deputy Secretary General M Satyanarayan presented the trophy to Churchill Brothers and claimed that they learnt about the CAS order only after the ceremony was conducted. New Delhi, Apr 27 (PTI) Hours after Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) stayed AIFF's decision to declare Churchill Brothers as I League champions and barred it from conducting any formal felicitation ceremony, the national federation awarded the winners trophy to the Goan club, a development which may invite action from the international body. Elizabeth Steiner, the Deputy President of the Appeals Arbitration Division of the CAS, had barred AIFF from conducting any medal ceremony till the case is decided. Inter Kashi President Prithiijit Das said that the CAS order came around 1:30pm IST on Sunday while Satyanarayan gave away the trophy to Churchill at around 4pm. 'The CAS order came around 1:30pm IST and the mail was marked to AIFF also,' Das told PTI. Satyanarayan, however, said that the AIFF came to know of the CAS order only after he had already given away the trophy to Churchill Brothers. He said since the AIFF Secretariat was closed on Sunday and he being on a flight, he came to know of the CAS order late in the day. 'I was on a flight to Goa to give away the trophy and it being a Sunday, the AIFF Secretariat is closed. I came to know about it only after I gave away the trophy,' he told PTI. 'We have followed the Delhi High Court and AIFF Appeals Committee order and now we will see what can be done after consulting the lawyers.' He did say that the AIFF will have to obey the CAS' final ruling on the matter. 'After the hearing, whatever the CAS rules, we have to obey it and then we have to act accordingly.' AIFF and Churchill Brothers were among the respondents in the case before the Switzerland-based CAS. How the world football governing body FIFA and the CAS react to the development is to be seen. CAS is the highest sports tribunal in the world and all the sports bodies are bound to obey its directions. Whether the AIFF is able to explain the timeline as to how it was not able to receive the CAS order on time will be important. The AIFF later issued a statement defending its position. 'The I-League 2024-25 presentation ceremony was concluded on Sunday, April 27, 2025, in Goa. During the event, the champions' trophy and winners' medals were formally presented to Churchill Brothers FC Goa, as per Appeals Committee order and representation made by AIFF to Hon'ble Delhi High Court on April 23, 2025. 'The AIFF would like to clarify that, with regard to CAS order, due to a holiday in the AIFF Secretariat, the Federation was only informed of the order at a time when the ceremony had already been concluded in Goa. The AIFF remains committed to adhering to all regulatory and legal processes and will take appropriate action.' In an order passed 'on request for provisional measures', Steiner barred the AIFF from conducting any medal ceremony till the case is decided. 'The decision rendered by the Appeal Committee of All India Football Federation rendered on 18 April 2025 is stayed,' Steiner said in an 'ex parte' order. '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,' said the Austrian jurist. In 'ex parte' order, the proceeding or action involves only one party without notice to the other. These orders are in place only until further hearings can be held. The CAS granted the respondents, including the AIFF and Churchill Brothers 'a time limit to file a full reply to the application for provisional measures until 29 April 2025.' Churchill Brothers had finished provisionally on top of the table with 40 points after the final round on April 6. But, their title and Indian Super League promotion were subject to the outcome of Inter Kashi's disputed points from their January 13 match against Namdhari SC, which the latter had won 2-0. The AIFF Disciplinary Committee had awarded a 3-0 forfeit win and three points to Inter Kashi after ruling that Namdhari fielded an 'ineligible player'. That decision would have taken Inter Kashi to 42 points, enough to clinch the title. However, the AIFF Appeals Committee later put the Disciplinary Committee order 'inoperative and in abeyance' pending a final hearing. After a delayed process, including a postponed April 12 hearing due to Namdhari's counsel citing 'sickness', the AIFF's Appeals Committee on April 18 set aside the Disciplinary Committee's order and ruled in favour of Churchill. On the basis of its Appeal Committee ruling, the AIFF had declared Churchill Brothers as I-League champions. PTI PDS PDS AT AT This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
Time of India
27-04-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
AIFF awards I-League trophy to Churchill Brothers despite CAS stay
In a controversial move, the All India Football Federation (AIFF) awarded the I-League trophy to Churchill Brothers on Sunday, just hours after the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) had stayed the decision and barred any formal felicitation. The defiant act could invite further scrutiny from global bodies like FIFA and CAS. Deputy secretary general M Satyanarayan handed the trophy to Churchill Brothers at a ceremony in Goa, claiming the AIFF only learned about the CAS order after the presentation. "I was on a flight to Goa and the AIFF Secretariat was closed on Sunday. I came to know about the order only after giving away the trophy," Satyanarayan told PTI. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW! The CAS stay came on an urgent application filed by Inter Kashi, who argued that a pending points dispute could alter the final standings. Inter Kashi president Prithiijit Das asserted, "The CAS order came around 1:30 pm IST and the mail was marked to AIFF also," questioning the federation's explanation. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Jakarta Raya: AI guru Andrew Ng recommends: Read These 5 Books And Turn Your Life Aroun... Blinkist: Andrew Ng's Reading List Undo Who's that IPL player? CAS deputy president Elizabeth Steiner had clearly ruled that the AIFF must not declare a winner or hold any ceremony until the arbitration concludes. The respondents, including AIFF and Churchill Brothers, have until April 29 to respond. Poll How should AIFF handle the situation moving forward? Consult FIFA for further guidance. Stand by their decision and await CAS verdict. Revoke the trophy award until CAS concludes. Defending its move, AIFF later issued a statement, emphasising that the presentation was based on previous Delhi High Court and Appeals Committee rulings and that the federation would comply with CAS' final verdict. Churchill Brothers had provisionally finished atop the I-League standings, but Inter Kashi's challenge over a disputed match result could yet overturn the title race. With the CAS involved, how FIFA and the world body react remains to be seen, especially since sports federations are bound to respect CAS directives. The controversy has cast a shadow over Indian football's governance yet again.
