Churchill Brothers Crowned I-League Champions Amid Title Controversy After 12-Year Wait

Churchill Brothers FC, one of Indian football’s most storied clubs, can finally bask in the glory of championship success once again. After a 12-year wait and weeks of suspense, the Goan giants have been officially declared I-League 2024-25 winners—marking their third triumph in the competition’s history.

What should have been a moment of celebration on April 6 turned into a legal battle. But now, with the All India Football Federation’s (AIFF) appeals committee overturning a controversial disciplinary ruling, Churchill Brothers sit alone at the summit with 40 points, a single point ahead of Inter Kashi.

Victory Delayed but Not Denied

Though Churchill Brothers finished atop the table at the end of the season, their status as champions remained in limbo. The delay stemmed from an unresolved dispute involving Inter Kashi and Namdhari FC. Inter Kashi had been awarded three additional points after a disciplinary ruling stated that Namdhari fielded an ineligible player—Cledson C. Silva—in their 2-0 win over Inter Kashi. The result was overturned to a 0-3 loss, altering the points tally in Inter Kashi’s favor and momentarily placing them at the top.

Namdhari, however, appealed the decision, arguing that they were not given a fair opportunity to present their case initially. The appeal has now been upheld, restoring the original result and cementing Churchill Brothers’ position as league leaders.

A Judicious Turnaround

Justice (Retd.) Rajesh Tandon, chairperson of the AIFF Appeals Committee, emphasized procedural fairness in his ruling. “The order passed by the disciplinary Committee originally dated 31.12.2024 cannot be allowed stand in the light of Article 90 when Namdhari FC was not heard at the initial stage. The appeal therefore stands allowed.”

This statement underlines the committee’s finding that the earlier decision had violated principles of natural justice—particularly the rule of audi alteram partem (let the other side be heard). The committee, including Anil Kshatriya and Ashok K Tripathi, unanimously supported the reversal, bringing closure to a controversial chapter.

Champions on Sporting Merit

With the appeal upheld, the final standings are now frozen. Churchill Brothers top the chart with 40 points, ahead of Inter Kashi who remain at 39. The order instructed the AIFF to proceed with the official recognition of the champions: “As the I-League has concluded on April 6, the AIFF is directed to act forthwith by conducting a medal distribution ceremony in accordance with points obtained respectively.”

This opens the door for Churchill Brothers to potentially ascend to the Indian Super League (ISL), contingent upon meeting licensing and infrastructural criteria.

Vindication for the Goan Giants

Club owner Churchill Alemao expressed satisfaction and a sense of vindication following the verdict: “We were always the champions, nobody could take the title away from us. We were the best and the most dominant team from start to finish. Our title was never in doubt. The AIFF should have held the prize distribution immediately after the conclusion of the last league game.”

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His words resonate with supporters who watched their team lead from the front all season, only to see bureaucratic entanglements delay their moment of glory.

Controversy Around Cledson Silva’s Eligibility

At the heart of the dispute was Cledson C. Silva, the Namdhari player ruled ineligible by the disciplinary committee. While Namdhari had initially been penalized, the appeals process uncovered inconsistencies in the way the decision was handled.

The appeal report revealed several key points:

• The AIFF’s CMS (Competition Management System) portal did not show any active ban against the player.
• Namdhari’s manager, Jodhvir Singh, had proactively sought clarification from the AIFF-appointed match commissioner before the match.
• The disciplinary committee itself noted Namdhari acted in “good faith.”

Despite this, the original ruling had penalized Namdhari, triggering a domino effect that cast doubt on Churchill’s standing.

The appeals committee found the decision flawed: “Therefore, the appeal committee is of the opinion that the earlier order by which shows that initial stage when the disciplinary committee has passed the order 31.12.2024 and at that moment the appellant was not heard. This order was passed in violation of audi alteram partem.”

Inter Kashi Refuses to Back Down

While Churchill Brothers and their fans celebrate, Inter Kashi has not accepted the ruling lying down. The club has announced plans to escalate the matter to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Switzerland.

In a strongly worded statement, the club asserted: “From the very beginning, Inter Kashi has been clear that the case involves a simple interpretation of rules and regulations based on some undisputed facts. Inter Kashi will keep no stone unturned to secure justice, and any celebration in the interim may ultimately prove to be premature in nature.” The implication is clear: the saga may not be over just yet.

AIFF’s Role Under Scrutiny

Critics have pointed fingers at the AIFF for not acting decisively sooner. By delaying official recognition of the champions due to a pending appeal, the federation has been accused of indecisiveness, a stance that irked fans and stakeholders alike.

While the governing body claimed it was simply following due process, others argue that clarity around competition rules and timely communication could have prevented confusion.

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