Team Goemkarponn
New Delhi: In a stunning turn of events, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has temporarily suspended the All India Football Federation’s (AIFF) decision regarding the I-League championship, ordering the federation to refrain from declaring a winner or conducting any medal ceremony until the arbitration process is completed.
However, in a controversial move, the AIFF proceeded to award the I-League trophy to Churchill Brothers FC.
According to documents reviewed by news agencies, CAS issued an interim order halting any further action on the I-League title dispute, following a challenge by a competing club.
The order clearly directed AIFF to maintain the status quo and not declare any official results or hold any ceremonies related to the 2024-25 I-League season until the matter is adjudicated.
Despite this clear directive, AIFF officials conducted a trophy presentation ceremony, handing over the I-League title to Churchill Brothers FC in Goa.
The decision has sparked outrage among rival clubs and legal experts, who view the move as a blatant violation of the CAS order.
Sources close to the matter revealed that the dispute before CAS pertains to alleged irregularities during the I-League season, with multiple clubs contesting the AIFF’s decision-making process.
One senior official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said, “Defying an international sports tribunal’s interim order can have serious repercussions for Indian football’s credibility at the global level.”
The AIFF has not yet issued an official statement explaining why it proceeded with the trophy ceremony despite CAS’s suspension order. Repeated attempts by to contact AIFF President Kalyan Chaubey and Secretary General Shaji Prabhakaran for comment went unanswered.
Meanwhile, Churchill Brothers FC has celebrated the win, sharing images of the trophy presentation on their official social media handles. Club officials maintained that they were acting in good faith based on AIFF’s instructions.
Legal experts suggest that this defiance could expose the AIFF to sanctions from CAS or even lead to further complications if the arbitration rules against them. “CAS has the authority to impose fines, sanctions, or even escalate the matter to FIFA if an interim order is disregarded,” said a senior sports lawyer familiar with CAS proceedings.
With the CAS process still ongoing, the final outcome of the 2024-25 I-League season remains uncertain. For now, Indian football finds itself embroiled in yet another controversy at a time when global attention was expected to turn towards its development and professionalism.
