Churchill Brothers were awarded the I-League 2024-25 title during a ceremony in Goa despite the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) instructing the All India Football Federation (AIFF) not to declare a winner until the arbitration process was complete.
The AIFF was unaware of the CAS order due to a holiday and named Churchill Brothers provisional winners after they finished one point ahead of Inter Kashi.
The awarding of the title has sparked controversy as Inter Kashi disputes the decision, claiming they were wrongfully denied three points following a draw with Real Kashmir, and plan to appeal to CAS. The AIFF only learned of the CAS directive after the ceremony had taken place, which explains why the presentation went ahead.
This ongoing dispute keeps the I-League 2024-25 title unsettled, with Churchill Brothers recognized as provisional champions and the final outcome pending further legal review.
Churchill Brothers were officially given the I-League 2024-25 championship in a ceremony held in Goa.
This occurred despite a Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) order that directed the AIFF not to declare a winner until the ongoing arbitration was resolved.
The award came after the team finished at the top of the league table by a narrow margin. The AIFF’s actions happened amid some communication delays and disputes from runners-up Inter Kashi.
The title award ceremony took place on April 27, 2025, in Goa. This event followed the season’s conclusion and was attended by officials and team representatives.
The AIFF went ahead with the ceremony despite the CAS ruling that prohibited declaring a winner or holding a medal presentation during arbitration. The AIFF later stated it was unaware of the CAS directive at the time, due to a holiday at its Secretariat.
Churchill Brothers received the trophy and official recognition as champions during this event. The ceremony formalized their provisional status into a public acknowledgment of their title claim.
Churchill Brothers were initially declared provisional winners on April 19, 2025, by the AIFF Appeals Committee. This decision came immediately after the league season ended.
The provisional status was based on the final points tally but was subject to legal review due to Inter Kashi’s challenge. Churchill Brothers led by a single point before any arbitration.
