In an unprecedented turn of events, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has overturned the All India Football Federation’s (AIFF) decision, declaring Inter Kashi as the true I-League champions, three months after Churchill Brothers were awarded the trophy.
A Major U-Turn for Indian Football
The Switzerland-based Court of Arbitration for Sport delivered a decisive ruling on Friday, rejecting the AIFF Appeal Committee’s decision. This means the Varanasi-based Inter Kashi, not Churchill Brothers of Goa, will now be recognized as the second-division champions.
This verdict brings an end to a months-long controversy that overshadowed what was otherwise a thrilling football season. It also casts a shadow of further embarrassment over the AIFF, which has faced significant criticism recently.
The Saga of the ‘Ineligible Player’
The heart of the dispute began on January 13, following a match where Namdhari defeated Inter Kashi 2-0. Inter Kashi immediately lodged a protest, alleging that Namdhari had fielded an ineligible player, Cledson Carvalho da Silva, also known as Dé.
Inter Kashi argued that Dé should have been suspended due to accumulating four yellow cards throughout the season. This situation, particularly with one yellow card leading to a sending-off, created a confusing scenario for all parties involved.
AIFF’s Conflicting Rulings
Initially, the AIFF’s Disciplinary Committee, led by a former Uttarakhand High Court judge, sided with Inter Kashi on February 24. They awarded Inter Kashi a 3-0 victory, which at the time, propelled them above Churchill Brothers in the title race.
However, Namdhari quickly appealed, claiming that the AIFF’s official portal did not indicate the player was suspended for the match. This appeal led to the AIFF Appeals Committee, headed by a former Allahabad High Court judge, putting the earlier decision in abeyance on March 27.
This meant Churchill Brothers temporarily regained their top spot. The final league matches were played on April 6, with Churchill finishing on 40 points and Inter Kashi on 39. Despite the league concluding, the appeals committee’s decision was still pending.
On April 12, the Appeals Committee ultimately sided with Namdhari, confirming Churchill Brothers as champions. The trophy was then handed to Churchill on April 20, seemingly closing the chapter.
CAS Delivers the Final Word
Unsatisfied with the AIFF’s final ruling, Inter Kashi took their case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport. The international sports court, based in Lausanne, Switzerland, has now firmly ruled in Inter Kashi’s favour.
According to the Press Trust of India, the CAS order explicitly states, “The AIFF shall forthwith declare Inter Kashi FC as winner of the I-league 2024-25 season.” The decision by the AIFF Appeal Committee has been “set aside.”
This means the AIFF must now retrieve the trophy from Churchill Brothers and present it to Inter Kashi, marking a remarkable and controversial end to the I-League season.
- The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has named Inter Kashi the true I-League champions.
- This decision overturns the All India Football Federation’s (AIFF) earlier ruling that awarded the title to Churchill Brothers.
- The controversy stemmed from a dispute over an allegedly ineligible player fielded by Namdhari against Inter Kashi.
- The AIFF’s own committees issued conflicting verdicts before the CAS made the final, binding judgment.
This ruling serves as a significant moment for Indian football, highlighting the need for clarity and consistency in administrative decisions within the sport.
