I-League 2024-25 controversy : The All India Football Federation (AIFF) is hoping for a swift resolution from the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in the ongoing I-League 2024–25 title dispute, with the goal of concluding the saga before the season officially ends on May 31.
This follows a chaotic chain of events that has not only called into question the AIFF’s decision-making but also left the league without a definitive champion. The AIFF, meanwhile, has officially requested Churchill Brothers to return the I-League trophy and medals — handed over just hours after CAS issued a stay on the federation’s decision to crown them champions.
I-League 2024-25 controversy : AIFF Pushes for Quick CAS Resolution Before May 31 Season End
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What Triggered the Controversy?
At the center of this controversy is a player who isn’t even part of either of the title-challenging teams. A suspension-related technicality involving Dé (Cledson Carvalho da Silva), a Brazilian striker from Namdhari FC, sparked the dispute.
On January 13, Namdhari defeated Inter Kashi 2–0. Inter Kashi alleged that Dé had accumulated four yellow cards and should have been suspended, and therefore contested the result.. The AIFF Disciplinary Committee later agreed with Inter Kashi, awarding them a 3–0 win — a decision that temporarily placed them at the top of the table.
But on March 27, the AIFF Appeals Committee overturned that ruling, citing administrative shortcomings — including the federation’s failure to update its suspension portal — and reinstated Churchill Brothers at the summit.
Trophy Handed Over… Then Taken Back
On April 20, two weeks after the league concluded, the AIFF crowned Churchill Brothers as champions and handed them the trophy — just hours after CAS issued a stay order in response to an appeal filed by Inter Kashi.
The AIFF stated that they did not know about the CAS directive at the time because their offices were closed on Sunday. However, the optics of the situation have been damaging. By Monday, the federation had written to Churchill Brothers, asking them to return the trophy and medals pending a final verdict.
“We are bound to obey CAS’s order,” said an AIFF official. “Let the CAS decide, and we will hand over the trophy after the decision.”
CAS Timeline and the Rush for Resolution
CAS has given Churchill Brothers and Namdhari FC until Tuesday to file their responses, a process that kicks off formal arbitration. The AIFF is now urging authorities to make the decision before May 31, when the current football season ends. Since promotion to the Indian Super League (ISL) is at stake, stakeholders urgently need clarity.
Meanwhile, ISL clubs remain in limbo, awaiting confirmation of which team — Churchill Brothers or Inter Kashi — will join the top tier next season.
A Blow to AIFF’s Credibility
This controversy has further tarnished the AIFF’s already fragile reputation. Administrative oversights — such as failing to update a player’s suspension on its portal — have had far-reaching consequences. What should have been a celebration of Indian football’s competitiveness has instead become a legal quagmire and a PR disaster.
This is not just about silverware. It’s about accountability, transparency, and the AIFF’s ability to manage domestic football in a professional, error-free manner.
A League Left in Limbo
Both Churchill Brothers — one of India’s oldest legacy clubs — and Inter Kashi — a rising team from football-starved Uttar Pradesh — have compelling narratives. Yet, thanks to administrative blunders and legal delays, neither story has found a fitting ending.
As the footballing community awaits a verdict from CAS, the AIFF’s mismanagement has once again become the headline. Resolving this issue before May 31 will not only determine a champion but also demonstrate the federation’s resolve to restore credibility
FAQs
Because the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) issued a stay order on AIFF’s decision to crown them champions.
A controversy over an ineligible player fielded by Namdhari FC in a match against Inter Kashi.
Read more : CAS stay on I League 2025: Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) Halts AIFF Decision
