The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has reached out to 12 Indian Super League (ISL) clubs to gather their views on the potential inclusion of Churchill Brothers FC Goa in the ongoing season.
The move comes just days after the AIFF Executive Committee rejected the I-League side’s entry into the top division on February 12. However, the issue has resurfaced following a joint communication from FC Goa and Sporting Club Delhi on February 13, urging the federation to reconsider its stance.
In its letter to the remaining ISL clubs — excluding FC Goa and Sporting Club Delhi — the AIFF stated: “The emails put on record that the aforementioned clubs have no objection, in principle, to the participation of Churchill Brothers FC Goa in the current ISL season, while acknowledging that the matter is currently sub-judice at the Swiss Federal Tribunal (“SFT”) and that any determination must be contingent on the outcome of the said proceedings.”
The federation further quoted Sporting Club Delhi’s position, noting: “The email from Sporting Club Delhi further puts forth that it does not oppose the proposal that the league maybe conducted with an expanded number of participating clubs, provided that all additional operational costs attributable to such expansion shall be borne exclusively by Churchill Brothers FC Goa.”
Highlighting its intent to maintain fairness, the AIFF added: “Pursuant to the above and in keeping with the principles of good governance, transparency, and the integrity of the competition, AIFF hereby seeks the considered views of the other participating clubs on the matters outlined above.”
The controversy stems from last season’s I-League standings. Churchill Brothers had provisionally finished at the top on the final matchday. However, second-placed Inter Kashi, which had been docked four points by the AIFF Appeals Committee — a decision that cost them the title — challenged the sanction at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
CAS ruled in favour of Inter Kashi, overturning the earlier penalty. As a result, Inter Kashi were declared I-League champions and secured promotion to the ISL.
With the ISL season already underway since February 14 and two rounds completed, the debate over Churchill Brothers’ participation adds a fresh layer of uncertainty to India’s top-tier competition.
