Following a CAS ruling declaring Inter Kashi as the rightful champions, AIFF presented a replica of the I-League trophy six months after previously awarding the same silverware to Churchill Brothers at the same Goa venue on Saturday.
AIFF made the presentation after Kashi’s final group league Super Cup match against Jamshedpur FC at the GMC Athletic Stadium, bringing closure to a prolonged legal battle that overshadowed one of the most dramatic I-League seasons in recent memory.
“Inter Kashi have been presented with the I-League 2024-25 trophy,” I-League announced on its ‘X’ handle, alongside a photo of the Inter Kashi ‘Champions’ team.
In July, CAS overturned the AIFF Appeals Committee’s decision, which had awarded the title to Churchill Brothers,
directing the Federation to declare Inter Kashi FC as the winner of the I-League 2024–25 season.”
The AIFF clarified that the silverware handed to Inter Kashi on Saturday was only a replica, as the original trophy remains with Churchill Brothers, who have refused to return it since being named provisional winners in April.
“Despite letters to return the trophy, Churchill Brothers did not do so. We will pursue the matter. But since the whole team was here for the Super Cup, we have presented a replica of the trophy as per the CAS order,” a top AIFF official stated anonymously.
Churchill Brothers FC owner Churchill Alemao criticised AIFF, calling the move “disrespectful” to his club and its supporters.
“This is an insult to our fans and supporters who have stood by Churchill Brothers through the years,” Alemao remarked, adding that the matter is still under legal consideration.
Churchill Brothers have refused to return the trophy, claiming the matter remains sub judice before Switzerland’s Federal Tribunal.
“CAS has never asked us to return the trophy till date. The final order is yet to be given and we will challenge it in the Swiss Federal Tribunal,” Churchill Brothers stated.
“We are extremely shocked by the manner in which AIFF is dealing with the matter.” The Goan club has also filed a petition in the Delhi High Court, seeking Kashi’s disqualification for alleged rule violations during the season.
For Inter Kashi, the moment marked the culmination of an expensive and emotional fight, reportedly costing over Rs 3.5 crore in legal fees, confirming their place in I-League history as champions in their debut campaign.
The victory also ensures their promotion to the top flight, despite uncertainty surrounding the Indian Super League.
The dispute originated from Kashi’s January 13 fixture against Namdhari FC, which they lost 0-2. Kashi later protested that Namdhari had fielded Brazilian midfielder Cledson Carvalho da Silva (De), who had accumulated three yellow cards and was therefore ineligible to play.
The AIFF Disciplinary Committee initially upheld Kashi’s protest and awarded them three points. However, Namdhari argued the player’s suspension had not been reflected on the official AIFF portal, prompting the Appeals Committee to reverse the ruling.
That reversal proved decisive as Churchill Brothers, who finished with 40 points, were declared provisional champions, while Kashi dropped to second with 39.
Kashi then appealed the decision to CAS in Lausanne, which restored the three points from the Namdhari match, taking their tally to 42 and moving them past Churchill Brothers.
Even then, AIFF delayed officially naming Kashi champions, forcing the club to approach CAS a second time. On July 18, the international tribunal issued a clear directive to AIFF to declare Inter Kashi as I-League champions forthwith.
