It’s official: Churchill Brothers are I-League champions

Panaji: Churchill Brothers FC can now start celebrating their third I-League title, the first in 12 years. They are now officially the I-League champions.
Having finished at the top of the I-League table with 40 points, the former champions were made to wait till the All India Football Federation’s appeals committee decides on a case involving Namdhari FC and Inter Kashi.
That case has now been settled with the appeals committee setting aside two previous orders of the disciplinary committee that handed three points to Inter Kashi after Namdhari were adjudged to have fielded an ineligible player, prompting an appeal.

“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,” Justice (Retd.) Rajesh Tandon, chairperson of the appeals committee, wrote in his order on Saturday.
The latest order means there will be no change in the I-League standings. Churchill finish on top with 40 points, while Inter Kashi have been forced to settle for the second spot, a point behind.
“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,” states the order which has been passed with the concurrence of Anil Kshatriya, deputy chairperson, and Ashok K Tripathi, former district judge, a member. Aqeel Ansari and Diwaker Thite are the two other members of the committee.
The order comes as a huge relief for Churchill who can now officially celebrate their third I-League triumph, one that will take them to the top-tier Indian Super League (ISL) on sporting merit, should they fulfil the necessary criteria.
“We were always the champions, nobody could take the title away from us,” owner Churchill Alemao told TOI. “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.”
The AIFF, though, said it could not officially declare Churchill as champions due to the pending appeal.
Inter Kashi were handed three points by the disciplinary committee after Namdhari were adjudged to have fielded an ineligible player (Cledson C. Silva). Namdhari won the home clash 2-0 but the ineligible player meant the match was considered as forfeiture resulting in a 0-3 loss.
Namdhari, however, lodged an appeal which later found favour with the committee.
“The AIFF has never rebutted the argument that its CMS portal did not reflect a ban on the player. It has also not disputed the submission on record that Namdhari manager Jodhvir Singh had sought an on-field clarification from the AIFF appointed match commissioner before the game against Inter Kashi about player ineligibility of Cledson. In fact, the AIFF disciplinary committee has also noted in its impugned decision that Namdhari had acted in good faith. Despite such a holding, the AIFF has decided that Namdhari deserves to be sanctioned with a 0-3 loss.
“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,” the order states.
Meanwhile, Inter Kashi have said they will now approach the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) “for a truly free and fair hearing of the matter.”
“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 club said in a statement.