Churchill Brothers' (40 points) claim on the title had hinged on the verdict of the AIFF appeals panel, which was to decide a case involving Inter Kashi (39 points)
Thirteen days after provisionally finishing on top, Churchill Brothers were declared I-League 2024-25 champions and promoted to the Indian Super League after the All India Football Federation's (AIFF) appeals committee ruled against the second-placed Inter Kashi on Saturday, April 19. (More Football News)
Churchill Brothers had ended up with 40 points after the last round of matches on April 6, but their quest for the title and a historic promotion to the ISL hinged on the verdict of the appeals panel which was to decide a case involving Inter Kashi (39 points).
The controversy pertained to Inter Kashi's game against Namdhari SC on January 13, when the latter won 2-0. But the AIFF disciplinary committee later ruled that Namdhari fielded an ineligible player. The committee awarded a 3-0 forfeit win to Inter Kashi along with three points.
But the AIFF appeal committee later put the decision "inoperative and in abeyance" until the final hearing. Had Inter Kashi been awarded the three points, they would have won the I-League title as they would have had 42 points then.
The national football federation's appeal panel was to hear the case on April 28 but advanced the date to April 12. The counsel who was to represent Namdhari did not turn up for the hearing, however, citing "sickness" and the committee did not declare a verdict.
After another hearing on Friday, the AIFF panel set aside the disciplinary committee's order and ruled in favour of Namdhari.
"... 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," the AIFF Appeals Committee ruling said.
"As the I-League has concluded on 06.04.2025, the AIFF is directed to act forthwith by conducting a medal distribution ceremony in accordance with points obtained respectively," said the committee headed by Justice Rajesh Tandon, Supreme Court senior advocate and former judge of Uttarakhand High Court.
Meanwhile, Chanmari FC became the second and final team to secure promotion to I-League 2025-26 on Saturday. Despite losing 0-1 on home turf to Diamond Harbour FC, who claimed the I-League 2 title with the win, Chanmari were assured of a top-two finish after their nearest challengers Sporting Clube de Goa dropped points in a 1-1 draw at FC Bengaluru United.
With Chanmari FC now joining Aizawl FC in the I-League, it will mark the first time two clubs from Mizoram will be part of the league.
Elsewhere in the Indian football circuit, the fifth edition of the Kalinga Super Cup is set to kick off on Sunday with the final scheduled for May 3. Thirteen teams from the ISL and some from the I-League will battle it out in this winner-takes-all sprint with matches set to be played at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar.
(With PTI inputs)