CAS set to terminate SC Bengaluru’s I-League relegation appeal over non-payment

The Bengaluru outfit’s fight to stay in I-League suffers major setback at CAS

Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has informed SC Bengaluru that its appeal against the All India Football Federation (AIFF), Namdhari FC, and Aizawl FC is on the verge of termination. The Lausanne-based court, which handles international sporting disputes, stated that the club failed to pay the required advance of costs by the deadline of October 24, 2025.

In a letter dated October 27, 2025, CAS Managing Counsel Fabien Cagneux confirmed that no proof of payment was received from the club.

As a result, the President of the CAS Appeals Arbitration Division will now issue a Termination Order under Article R64.2(2) of the Code of Sports-related Arbitration. This effectively puts their last legal hope to retain their I-League status in jeopardy.

‘In view of the above and in the absence of payment by the Appellant within the given deadline, thePresident of the CAS Appeals Arbitration Division, or her Deputy, will render a Termination Order inaccordance with article R64.2 (2) of the Code of Sports-related Arbitration.’ the letter from CAS read.

Why did SC Bengaluru move to CAS?

SC Bengaluru had approached the Court of Arbitration for Sport seeking relief from relegation after finishing in the bottom two of the 2024–25 I-League alongside Delhi FC. The club accused Namdhari FC of fielding an ineligible player, Brazilian midfielder Cledson Da Silva (De), during their 2–1 defeat on March 30, 2025.

According to SCB, De should have been serving a suspension after accumulating seven yellow cards and a red card earlier in the season. The club argued that Namdhari’s use of the player violated competition rules and requested the match result be overturned, which would have awarded them three points and potentially saved them from relegation.

However, the AIFF Appeals Committee dismissed their complaint, ruling that Namdhari acted in “good faith” after consulting AIFF officials before fielding the player. Dissatisfied with that verdict, SC Bengaluru took the matter to CAS, seeking to set aside the appeal committee’s decision and expedite the hearing before October 30, 2025.

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What happens next to SC Bengaluru?

With CAS now preparing to terminate the appeal due to non-payment, SC Bengaluru’s hopes of staying in the I-League appear slim. The club’s failure to meet procedural requirements could close the final legal avenue available to them. If the appeal is dismissed, Delhi FC and SC Bengaluru will be relegated to the I-League 2nd Division.

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