Churchill Brothers Confirmed as I-League Champions by AIFF Appeals Committee, Inter Kashi to appeal on CAS

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Churchill Brothers have been crowned as the I-League champions on Saturday (April 19), a statement from AIFF confirmed.

The apex body of Indian football announced that Churchill, who finished the I-League with most number of points, have been crowned as the champions and is promoted to the Indian Super League for next season.

The I-League's future was hanging in the balance due to the ongoing saga between Inter Kashi and Churchill Brothers.

Inter Kashi finished 2nd but appealed to AIFF regarding a match between them and Namdhari FC, where the they accused Namdhari of fielding ineligible players. The AIFF made a committee regarding the issue to investigate, and the verdict has gone against Kashi, thus crowning Churchill Brothers as champions.

"As per an order received from the AIFF Appeals Committee on Saturday, April 19, 2025, on the appeal by Namdhari Football Club regarding Match No. 45 of I-League 2024-25, Churchill Brothers FC Goa, who have the highest number of points n the league, are now the Champions," a statement from AIFF read.

Although Churchill are the I-League champions, they will play no part in the Kalinga Super Cup. Their owner cited the issue of lack of players as the reason behind it.

Meanwhile, Inter Kashi have confirmed that they will move the matter to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

"Inter Kashi welcomes the order of the AIFF Appeals Committee following a protracted process which should have been wrapped up before the 6th of April. The conclusion of the hearing, and with it, the exhaustion of all internal dispute resolution processes, enables Inter Kashi to approach the Court of Arbitration in Sport (CAS) for a truly free and fair hearing of the matter," the club said in a statement on Saturday.