Court of Arbitration for Sport stays AIFF Appeals Committee verdict on Inter Kashi-Namdhari FC fiasco

The stay order from the CAS comes as a boost for the Warriors of Kashi.

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has intervened in the ongoing dispute surrounding the I-League 2024–25 title involving Inter Kashi, Namdhari FC, Churchill Brothers SC and the All India Football Federation (AIFF).

They have issued a provisional order that halts the declaration of Churchill Brothers as I-League champions and postpones the planned medal ceremony as directed by the AIFF Appeals Committee.

The decision follows an urgent request from Inter Kashi FC, who challenged the final verdict rendered by the AIFF Appeals Committee earlier this month, declaring Churchill Brothers as the winners.

The order has thrown a spanner into the works as all parties involved will now await resolution following the CAS hearing.

AIFF Appeals Committee decision stayed by CAS order

According to an order issued on April 27, 2025, the Deputy President of the CAS Appeals Arbitration Division granted Inter Kashi’s application for provisional measures.

Consequently, the AIFF Appeals Committee’s ruling dated April 18, 2025, which effectively confirmed Churchill Brothers as I-League champions, has now been stayed.

“The Application for Provisional Measures filed by Inter Kashi FC in the matterCAS 2025/A/11374 Inter Kashi FC v. AIFF & Churchill Brothers FC Goa & Namdhari FC isgranted, ” the order read.

The decision rendered by the Appeal Committee of All India Football Federation rendered on18 April 2025 is stayed.

The AIFF are now prohibited from officially declaring Churchill Brothers as the winners of the 2024–25 I-League season or conducting a medal ceremony until the arbitration proceedings at CAS are concluded.

It further stipulates that the AIFF, Churchill Brothers, and Namdhari FC, the respondents in this matter, must file a full reply to Inter Kashi’s provisional measures application by April 29, 2025.

“All India Football Federation, Churchill Brothers FC Goa and Namdhari FC are granted a timelimit to file a full reply to the Applicant’s application for provisional measures until29 April 2025,” it added.

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A fair hearing now on cards for Inter Kashi

The CAS order also stated that the costs related to the provisional measures order will be addressed later, either during the final award or another final disposition of the arbitration.

The dramatic turn of events means that despite the I-League season having concluded weeks ago, the official crowning of the champion remains now in limbo.

Despite finishing at the top of the 2024-25 I-League standings, the fans of the Red Machines will have to put their celebrations on hold as the legal battle plays out at CAS.

On the other hand, for Inter Kashi, the CAS decision represents a significant victory in their ongoing quest for what they claim is “justice and a fair hearing.”

The club released their statement on the successful appeal stating, “Inter Kashi eagerly awaits a truly free and fair hearing of the matter at the Court of Arbitration for Sport and maintains that the case involves a simple interpretation of the rules and regulations based on undisputed facts.”

🚨 CLUB STATEMENT 🚨Inter Kashi welcomes the Order on its Request for Provisional Measures issued by the Deputy President of the Appeals Arbitration Division of the Court of Arbitration for Sport in the Case filed by Inter Kashi at the CAS with case number CAS 2025/A/11374.…

— Inter Kashi (@InterKashi) April 27, 2025

As the proceedings take their natural step forward, the football fraternity in India now awaits further developments. The outcome of the CAS arbitration is set to have major implications, not just on the current season, but also on the addition of another team to the ISL ahead of next season.

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