Churchill Brothers ISL Inclusion: Why the issue resurfaced after AIFF’s initial rejection

ISL clubs oppose the inclusion of Churchill Brothers in the top-tier league

Indian football is dying a fast death as it is going through one of its most turbulent administrative phases in recent memory.

The top-tier Indian Super League 2025–26 could only begin earlier this month after the Union Sports Minister requested clubs to participate this season, despite the absence of structural clarity following Football Sports Development Limited’s (FSDL) exit after its 15-year commercial agreement with the All India Football Federation (AIFF) ended in December 2025.

Just two matchweeks into the ISL 2025–26 season, AIFF wrote to all ISL clubs seeking their “considered views of the participating clubs on the Churchill Brothers FC Goa participation in the Indian Super League”.

India might be the only country in the world where a football federation attempts to include a club in the top division after the league has already started.

The same federation that struggled to secure a jersey manufacturer for the women’s national team during the AFC Women’s Asian Cup now appears fully engaged in exploring ways to include Churchill Brothers in the ISL.

Background of the controversy

The issue stems from the I-League title dispute involving Inter Kashi and Churchill Brothers.

Initially, the AIFF Disciplinary Committee and later the AIFF Appeal Committee penalised Inter Kashi after determining that the registration of foreign player Marco Barco was invalid. AIFF ordered forfeiture of matches in which the player featured.

The decision significantly altered the I-League standings, including awarding three points to Namdhari FC in one match.

However, Inter Kashi appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), which ruled in their favour and directed AIFF to restore the sporting outcome.

The revised standings read:

• Inter Kashi – 42 points (Champions)
• Churchill Brothers – 40 points (Second)

Churchill Brothers subsequently challenged the CAS ruling before the Swiss Federal Tribunal (SFT). The SFT declined to grant an interim stay on the CAS ruling. The final decision remains pending.

As matters stand legally, the CAS ruling is operative.

AIFF Executive Committee rejection — February 12, 2026

On February 12, 2026, the AIFF Executive Committee rejected the inclusion of Churchill Brothers in the Indian Super League.

Ordinarily, such a decision would close the matter.

Yet on February 25, AIFF wrote to ISL clubs reopening discussion on the same issue.

This sequence has led to a fundamental governance question:

Why revisit a matter already decided by the Federation’s own Executive Committee?

Full excerpts from AIFF’s letter to ISL clubs (25 February 2026)

“This letter is in acknowledgement and in response to the emails dated 20-02-2026 sent by Churchill Brothers FC Goa, and 13.02.2026 sent by FC Goa and Sporting Club Delhi respectively, regarding the inclusion of Churchill Brothers FC Goa in the Indian Super League. 

The email from Churchill Brothers, relying on the attached mails from the two clubs requested the AIFF to include the club in the ISL. The emails put on record that the aforementioned clubs have no objection, in principle, to the participation of Churchill Brothers FC Goa in the current ISL season, while acknowledging that the matter is currently sub-judice at the Swiss Federal Tribunal (“SFT”) and that any determination must be contingent on the outcome of the said proceedings. 

The email from Sporting Club Delhi further puts forth that it does not oppose the proposal that the league maybe conducted with an expanded number of participating clubs, provided that all additional operational costs attributable to such expansion shall be borne exclusively by Churchill Brothers FC Goa. Pursuant to the above and in keeping with the principles of good governance, transparency, and the integrity of the competition, AIFF hereby seeks the considered views of the other participating clubs on the matters outlined above.”

The emails that triggered the reopening

Churchill Brothers email (20 February 2026)

“Please find attached mails for your kind perusal, where the indian super league clubs discussed with the president that the matter is subjudice and thereafter requested the federation to include Churchill Brothers FC Goa in the 2026-2027 indian super league. I am forwarding these emails to you for matter of record so that we’re aware of the chronology of events and please note this happened after the 12th February emergency executive.” email sent by Churchill Alemao, Club president to AIFF.

Sporting Club Delhi email (13 February 2026)

“On behalf of Sporting Club Delhi, we acknowledge the discussions regarding the potential participation of Churchill Brothers FC in the ISL 2025-26 season.

Churchill Brothers FC is a long-standing club in Indian football, and we recognise the sentiments surrounding the matter. We note that the issue is presently sub judice before the Swiss Tribunal, and therefore any decision would need to be taken with due consideration to the legal process and the broader interests of Indian football.

Sporting Club Delhi has no objection, in principle, to the participation of Churchill Brothers FC in the ISL for the forthcoming season. We believe that considerations of fairness would support allowing their participation, subject to the outcome of the legal process, and to maintaining the stability of the competition structure.

In this context, we further note the proposal that the League may be conducted with an additional team for the season, with Churchill Brothers FC bearing any additional operational costs arising from the expanded match schedule. We also believe that, as a matter of competitive and structural fairness, it may be appropriate to consider freezing promotion and relegation for a limited period (for example, two seasons), should the competition be expanded to accommodate an additional team.

That said, Sporting Club Delhi will defer to the Federation and the collective judgment of the participating clubs to determine what is considered appropriate in the overall interest of the competition. We will abide by the decision taken.”

FC Goa email (13 February 2026)

“On behalf of FC Goa, we acknowledge the discussion regarding the potential participation of Churchill Brothers FC in the ISL 2025–26 season.

Churchill Brothers FC is a long-standing club in Indian football, and we recognise the sentiments surrounding the matter.

FC Goa will defer to the Federation and the collective judgment of the other participating clubs to decide what they consider appropriate in the overall interest of the competition. We will abide by the decision taken.” 

What happened behind the scenes?

Observers quickly noted the similarity in language between the emails from Sporting Club Delhi and FC Goa.

A source familiar with the developments told Khel Now:

“One ISL club was approached by the Chief Minister of their state, and two more ISL clubs were approached by ministers in the Central Government of India to support the inclusion of Churchill Brothers in the ISL.”

This is the reason why SCD and FCG wrote those emails, but both clubs clearly did mention one thing:” They will defer to the Federation and the collective judgment of the other participating clubs to decide what they consider appropriate in the overall interest of the competition. We will abide by the decision taken.”

The AIFF letter did mention in their letter, “the two clubs requested the AIFF to include the CBFC in the ISL”, but if you see the original emails by both clubs, they have not requested to add CBFC.

Another source added:

“Emails written by Sporting Club Delhi and FC Goa were dictated or given by senior leadership of the AIFF and Churchill Brothers in coordination.”

Khel Now has not independently verified this claim. However, the similarity in the language of the emails and the timing of communications has raised questions within the football community.

ISL clubs respond — unanimous rejection

Earlier today, all ISL clubs collectively responded to the AIFF, rejecting the idea of including Chruchrill Brothers in ISL 2025-26, following the federation’s letter last evening. 

They stated that any last-minute changes can create serious problems for every club.

The clubs further state that adding a club without proper Sporting process would undermine fair competition, and that no rule in the current system allows the league to expand in the middle of a cycle. All teams qualified through a fair and honest system; they believe the sudden inclusion of Churchill Brothers would compromise the league’s fairness.

In this letter, the clubs clearly clarify that they do not agree to any expansion of the ISL for the new season and request official confirmation that the league will continue with the approved format.

As things stand, all clubs have now made their position clear about the inclusion of Churchill Brothers FC Goa in the ISL 2025-26 season.

Their response stated:

“Refer to your letter dated 25.02.2026 regarding the proposed inclusion of Churchill Brothers FC Goa in the ISL 2025–26 season.

 Given that this issue was previously deliberated upon and aligned in discussions with the AIFF, we are unclear on the basis for reopening the matter.

1. League composition is final

The ISL 2025–26 league structure is closed and final. It forms the basis of existing sporting, operational, financial and contractual reliance. No expansion or alteration is acceptable at this stage. 

2. Competitive integrity 

Any ad-hoc inclusion of a club outside a recognised sporting pathway is inconsistent with merit-based participation and undermines competitive integrity. 

3. No regulatory basis 

There exists no articulated regulatory mechanism within the present governance framework permitting mid-cycle structural expansion. Any such action would create uncertainty and set a destabilising precedent across the football pyramid. 

4. Material and legal prejudice 

Clubs have irrevocably structured budgets, salary commitments, player registrations, employment contracts, sponsorship arrangements, broadcast schedules and match operations on a fixed competition format. Alteration would impose disproportionate burdens and may give rise to contractual and legal exposure.

 5. AIFF Executive Committee position 

The AIFF Executive Committee has previously taken a position on the league structure. Reopening the issue now lacks regulatory consistency and certainty. 

6. Position of the two Clubs referenced 

We further record that the two clubs referenced have themselves stated that they would abide by the decision of the majority of clubs and the AIFF. In the circumstances, and given the surrounding context, it appears those communications may have been made under situational pressure. 

In any event, as the overwhelming majority of participating clubs do not consent to any expansion, and as the Federation retains regulatory authority over league composition, this matter ought to be treated as closed. 

For the avoidance of doubt: 

• The clubs do not consent to any expansion of the ISL 2025–26 season. 
• The league composition must remain unchanged. 
• All rights are expressly reserved. 

We request formal confirmation that the ISL 2025–26 season shall proceed with the previously approved league structure.”

What happens next?

Two possibilities emerge:

1. AIFF accepts the collective rejection and closes the matter.
2. The focus shifts toward securing Churchill Brothers’ entry into the 2026–27 season.

Churchill Brothers’ own email references 2026–27.

If they do not compete in the Indian Football League (formerly I-League) 2025–26 season — and do not earn promotion on the pitch — the question then becomes: on what sporting basis would inclusion be justified?

At the heart of this controversy lies a simple principle:

League positions should be earned through sporting merit.

Anything else risks further eroding trust in governance at a time when Indian football can least afford instability.

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