In an unprecedented turn of events, the All India Football Federation (AIFF) has asked Churchill Brothers to return the I-League trophy just a day after awarding it, following a stay order from the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
On Sunday, despite CAS’ directive to halt any formal medal ceremonies and decisions regarding the I-League title, the AIFF went ahead and presented the trophy to the Goan club. The ceremony saw AIFF deputy secretary general M. Satyanarayan hand over the winner’s trophy to the Churchill Brothers players.
Satyanarayan later claimed that the federation had been unaware of the CAS order at the time, citing that the AIFF secretariat was closed on Sunday and the news reached them only afterward.
However, the federation was forced to act swiftly on Monday. “On Monday, we have written to Churchill Brothers to return the I-League trophy,” an AIFF source confirmed to PTI under the condition of anonymity. “We are bound to obey CAS order. Let the CAS decide on the matter, and we will hand over the trophy after the decision.”
The controversy stems from a disciplinary issue earlier in the season. The AIFF Disciplinary Committee had awarded a 3-0 forfeit win and three crucial points to Inter Kashi after ruling that Namdhari FC had fielded an ‘ineligible player’. This decision would have elevated Inter Kashi to 42 points, potentially making them I-League champions.
However, the AIFF Appeals Committee later intervened, declaring the Disciplinary Committee’s decision “inoperative and in abeyance” pending a final hearing. Delays followed, with an April 12 hearing postponed due to Namdhari’s legal team citing illness. Eventually, on April 18, the Appeals Committee ruled in Churchill Brothers’ favour, prompting the federation to declare them as champions.
The awarding of the trophy before a final resolution, however, triggered immediate legal intervention. CAS, the highest authority in sports dispute resolution, stepped in to maintain status quo until a thorough review could be completed.
This latest development leaves the I-League title in limbo, with the final outcome now resting in the hands of CAS. For now, Churchill Brothers must surrender the trophy they briefly held, as Indian football grapples with one of its most controversial title races in recent history.
