The All India Football Federation has officially written to all ISL clubs requesting their views regarding the potential participation of Churchill Brothers in the ongoing ISL 2025-26 season. The development comes nearly two gameweeks into the truncated 91-match format, as the Goan outfit continues pursuing promotion to India’s top-tier competition following a dramatic legal saga.
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AIFF Communication and Club Positions
The AIFF’s letter, dated February 25, 2026, seeks consultation from all 14 competing clubs before making any final determination. SC Delhi and FC Goa have already submitted emails expressing no objection to Churchill Brothers’ inclusion, though SC Delhi stipulated that Churchill Brothers must bear all additional operational costs associated with accommodating an extra team.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| AIFF Letter Date | February 25, 2026 |
| Letter Purpose | Seek ISL clubs’ views on Churchill Brothers participation |
| ISL Season Stage | Two gameweeks completed (out of 26) |
| Total ISL Clubs | 14 participating teams |
| Clubs Supporting Inclusion | SC Delhi, FC Goa (2 clubs) |
| SC Delhi Condition | Churchill Brothers must bear extra operational costs |
| Legal Status | Matter pending before Swiss Federal Tribunal (SFT) |
| AIFF Approach | Consultation with all stakeholders (no unilateral action) |
I-League Controversy Background
| Event | Details |
|---|---|
| Initial Decision | AIFF declared Churchill Brothers I-League 2024-25 champions |
| Controversy Start | Invalid foreign player registration (Marco Barco) |
| AIFF Ruling | All Marco Barco matches forfeited; points deducted |
| Forfeited Match | Inter Kashi vs Namdhari (3 points to Punjab) |
| CAS Appeal | Inter Kashi appealed to Court of Arbitration for Sport |
| CAS Verdict | Inter Kashi claims genuine; AIFF must restructure table |
| Final Standings | Inter Kashi 42 points (champions), Churchill Brothers 40 points |
| Promotion Outcome | Inter Kashi promoted to ISL 2025-26 |
The Churchill Brothers Case
Churchill Brothers finished the I-League 2024-25 season with 40 points, just 2 points behind champions Inter Kashi who totaled 42 points. The dramatic reversal came after AIFF initially awarded the trophy to Churchill Brothers, only to reverse the decision following CAS’s intervention.
The legal proceedings continue before the Swiss Federal Tribunal, with Churchill Brothers challenging the original AIFF decision regarding Marco Barco’s registration validity. The matter’s ongoing status creates uncertainty regarding Churchill Brothers’ potential ISL participation, as any determination must be contingent on the SFT’s final verdict.
Operational and Competitive Implications
Accommodating Churchill Brothers mid-season presents significant challenges. The ISL currently operates with 14 teams in a home-and-away format producing 91 total matches. Adding a 15th team would require restructuring the fixture list, potentially affecting existing match schedules and the points table.
SC Delhi’s stipulation that Churchill Brothers bear extra operational costs acknowledges the financial burden of integrating an additional team mid-season. Broadcasting, venue arrangements, logistics, and administrative requirements would incur substantial expenses.
Additionally, ISL players have taken pay cuts to enable the truncated season’s successful operation. Adding another team introduces financial complications and potentially affects competitive balance at a critical stage.
AIFF’s Consultation Approach
Rather than making unilateral decisions, the AIFF has chosen to consult all 14 ISL clubs before determining Churchill Brothers’ participation. The federation’s letter explicitly stated that it seeks “the considered views of the remaining participating clubs on Churchill Brothers’ participation in ISL 2025-26.”
This consultative approach contrasts with previous controversies where the AIFF faced criticism for unilateral decisions. By involving all stakeholders and formally documenting club positions, the federation aims to demonstrate transparent decision-making processes.
Legal and Symbolic Implications
The Churchill Brothers case has become symbolic of broader Indian football promotion-and-relegation debates. The decade-old club’s pursuit of parity and top-tier participation raises fundamental questions about competitive fairness, legal processes, and institutional governance within Indian football.
The SFT’s pending verdict carries implications beyond Churchill Brothers, potentially establishing precedents for future disputes involving foreign player registrations, appeal procedures, and promotion decisions. The legal proceedings have already lasted months, with no expected conclusion date announced.
Season Complexity and Timeline Uncertainties
The ISL 2025-26 season’s truncated format was specifically designed to accommodate India’s exemption from mandatory 24-match league phase requirements. Adding Churchill Brothers at this stage complicates already streamlined scheduling.
With only two gameweeks completed and 24 remaining, the federation has limited time to restructure fixtures if Churchill Brothers’ participation is approved. The uncertainties surrounding timelines and logistics create planning challenges for clubs already managing compressed schedules and financial constraints.
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FAQs
What is AIFF’s letter asking ISL clubs?
AIFF has written to all 14 ISL clubs seeking their views regarding Churchill Brothers’ potential participation in the ongoing 2025-26 season. The federation is consulting stakeholders before making any final determination.
Which ISL clubs support Churchill Brothers’ inclusion?
SC Delhi and FC Goa have submitted emails expressing no objection to Churchill Brothers’ participation. SC Delhi, however, stipulated that Churchill Brothers must bear all additional operational costs.
Why is the Churchill Brothers case pending before the Swiss Federal Tribunal?
Churchill Brothers appealed AIFF’s decision regarding Marco Barco’s registration validity to the Court of Arbitration for Sport. The CAS ruled in Inter Kashi’s favor, but Churchill Brothers appealed further to the Swiss Federal Tribunal.
How many points did Churchill Brothers finish with in I-League 2024-25?
Churchill Brothers finished with 40 points, just 2 points behind Inter Kashi who totaled 42 points and earned promotion to ISL 2025-26 as champions.
What are the main challenges in accommodating Churchill Brothers mid-season?
Integrating Churchill Brothers mid-season would require restructuring the fixture list, affecting match schedules and the points table. Additional operational costs and potential player financial complications also arise.
