Churchill Brothers issue official statement after CAS final verdict on I-League title

Inter Kashi leapfrogs Churchill Brothers to become the new I League champions

After a lot of twists and turns, and on a rare occasion, the champions of the I League 2024-25 season have been declared off the pitch after a wait of three long months since the final game of the season was played.

Both Inter Kashi and Churchill Brothers declared themselves I League champions after the full-time whistle in their final league games, respectively. A few weeks later, AIFF even handed the coveted I League silverware to Churchill Brothers in an official presentation ceremony.

Three months later, sport’s highest court, the Court of Arbitration for Sport, delivered its final verdict yesterday. They ruled the decision in favour of Inter Kashi and overturned AIFF’s previous points deduction against Inter Kashi for fielding an ineligible player. 

This decision saw Inter Kashi securing all three points that had been previously deducted. This took the Varanasi outfit to 42 points, whereas the Goan side finished with 40 points. After becoming the I League champions, Inter Kashi tweeted, “Truth will always emerge victorious”

What did Churchill Brothers say in their official statement?

It was never easy for the Goan outfit to accept the truth, especially after a series of goof-ups that took place by AIFF when they handed the I League trophy to Churchill Brothers and later asked them to return it to the Federation.

Churchill Brothers released an official statement via their social media handles.

It read, “We have received the CAS decision in the Mario Barco ineligibility case today. To every fan who stood by us — who bled red and believed in what was right — we feel your pain. We know what this club means to Goa. This verdict may sting, but it will not shake our resolve.

The truth has not been silenced — it’s only waiting for its moment. This is not the end. Our fight for justice continues. And we promise you — Churchill Brothers will not stop until Goa gets the honour it truly deserves. For the legacy. For the truth. For every heart that beats red.”

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A post shared by Churchill Brothers FC Goa 🇮🇳 (@churchillbrothersfcgoa)

The statement reflects the Goan outfit’s call for justice and their commitment to fight until truth prevails. They expressed their heartfelt gratitude to the fans who stood beside them through thick and thin. The club also used hashtags like #JusticeForChurchill #GoaDeservesBetter and #TruthWillPrevail.

What was the Mario Barco ineligibility case?

AIFF declared Churchill Brothers as the new I League 2024-25 champions after ruling against Inter Kashi for fielding an ineligible player, Mario Barco. The controversy arose after Barco was registered twice by Inter Kashi and was brought into the club after he was deemed fit again.

Inter Kashi president Prithijit Das said, “I still don’t understand what is the mistake we have made. A player got injured, the club spent money, looked after his rehabilitation, he became fit and then his right to play football was not allowed. What is his fault?”

Finally, after the CAS ruled in favour of Inter Kashi, the Varanasi outfit can celebrate as they are the new I League 2024-25 champions.

On the other hand, it was a tough pill to swallow for Churchill Brothers, who too poured their heart and soul to win the I League, but suffered a massive disappointment.

The Goan outfit had their fate in their own hand. They just needed a win in their final game against Real Kashmir to become the undisputed winners of the I League. A draw saw them relying on the CAS verdict to determine their fate.

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