CAS stay on I League 2025 : In a major twist for Indian football, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has ordered the All India Football Federation (AIFF) not to declare a winner for the I-League 2024-25 season or organize a medal ceremony until ongoing arbitration is concluded. This decision comes as a huge relief for Inter Kashi FC, who had filed an urgent appeal against the AIFF Appeals Committee’s earlier ruling that crowned Churchill Brothers as champions.
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CAS stay on I League 2025: CAS Stays AIFF Decision, No I-League 2024-25 Winner Until Arbitration Ends
What Led to the CAS Intervention?
The controversy began when Inter Kashi raised concerns over Namdhari FC allegedly fielding an ineligible player during an I-League match. At the end of the season, Churchill Brothers sat atop the standings with 40 points after 22 rounds, while Inter Kashi closely trailed with 39 points.
Since winning the I-League secures a spot in the Indian Super League (ISL), the stakes couldn’t have been higher. Inter Kashi appealed the final standings, but the AIFF Appeals Committee ruled in Churchill Brothers’ favor, prompting Kashi to escalate the matter to CAS.
CAS Stays AIFF Decision
In its official ruling, CAS stated:
“The All India Football Federation is ordered not to declare the winner of the I-League 2024/2025 or organise a medal ceremony for the I-League 2024-25 until the present arbitration has been concluded.”
This means no champions will be officially announced, and no medals will be handed out, until CAS concludes its full hearing of the dispute.
Additionally, CAS has granted AIFF, Churchill Brothers, and Namdhari FC time until April 29 to file a complete reply to Inter Kashi’s application.
Inter Kashi’s Reaction
Following the CAS decision, Inter Kashi issued a public statement:
“Inter Kashi welcomes the Order… Through this Order, CAS has stayed the AIFF Appeals Committee’s decision of 18 April 2025. We eagerly await a truly free and fair hearing of the matter at the Court of Arbitration for Sport.”
The club emphasized that the case revolves around a simple interpretation of rules based on undisputed facts.
What Happens Next?
The arbitration process at CAS will decide whether the AIFF’s original ruling will stand or if Inter Kashi’s claims will alter the final I-League standings. Meanwhile, Indian football fans must wait a bit longer for clarity on who truly deserves the 2024-25 I-League crown — and the prestigious ISL promotion that comes with it.
Stay tuned for more updates as this dramatic story unfolds!
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