Why Churchill Brothers are not yet I-League Champions despite Finishing the Season with Most Points? Explained

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The I-League season has ended on Sunday (April 6) with a triple header on the final day of the 2nd-tier Indian football league.

Three out of Six teams involved on the final day were the title contenders and in the end, Churchill Brothers have finished at the top of the table after the conclusion. Inter Kashi and Gokulam Kerala were also in the race.

What Happened on the I-League Final Day?

Gokulam Kerala started the day with 37 points, Churchill started with 39, while Inter Kashi started the final match with 36 points.

Gokulam Kerala failed at home against Dempo SC and lost the match 3-4. Inter Kashi were 3-1 winners over Rajasthan United as they scored the winning goals in injury time, while Churchill managed a 1-1 draw in Srinagar against Real Kashmir. With these results, Churchill have finished the season with the most number of points.

But despite ending the season with most points, Churchill Brothers are yet to be named as Champions. As the I-League concluded, the Goa-based team has finished provisionally at the top of the table, which has confused a section of the fans unaccustomed to the I-League saga this season.

Why are Churchill Brothers Not Yet I-League Champions?

Churchill Brothers are not yet the I-League champions due to a controversial match which took place on January 13 between Namdhari FC and Inter Kashi.

In that questioned match, Namdhari beat Inter Kashi 2-0, but Kashi later complained against Namdhari for fielding ineligible players. They pointed that the accused club played Cledson Carvalho da Silva, popularly known as De, who was supposed to be suspended for receiving 4 yellow cards in the league prior to the match.

The AIFF Disciplinary Committee saw legitimacy of Inter Kashi's appeal and forfeited the match and docked three points from Namdhari. But on March 27, the Appeals Committee overturned the earlier decision, leading to protests from Inter Kashi, who have already threatened a legal route.

Inter Kashi feel they should have been given three points. But as per latest proceedings, the AIFF will be putting the issue up for discussion on April 28, some 22 days from now. That is why, the I-League crown is not yet decided and remains on a cliffhanger for now.

Who can be the I-League Champions?

If Inter Kashi win their appeal and get three points, they will be the I-League Champions with 42 points. If the decision stays as it is, Churchill Brothers will be crowned the title. But the hotchpotch of Indian football is likely to continue as any decision may be rebutted by the opposing party with a formal legal battle.