Swiss court again refuses to pause CAS verdict; gives Churchill Brothers a final CHF 15,000 deadline

Inter Kashi remain the I-League 2024–25 champions while the appeal is pending.

The Swiss Federal Supreme Court has refused Churchill Brothers’ latest bid to freeze the CAS award that declared Inter Kashi the I-League 2024–25 champions, and has handed the Goan club a final, non-extendable window to pay the advance on costs of their appeal. 

In plain terms, the CAS decision stands, and Churchill’s appeal will only survive if they wire CHF 15,000 by 27 October 2025 with proper proof of payment.

No stay, no instalments, no discount

In its order dated 25 September, the presiding judge dismissed Churchill Brothers’ fresh requests to (a) grant suspensive effect to the appeal, (b) reduce the advance on costs, and (c) allow payment in three monthly tranches. 

The court also noted it had already rejected super-provisional and provisional stays in late July, so there’s still no legal pause on the CAS judgement.

Also Read: Churchill Brothers file fresh Delhi High Court case to stall Inter Kashi’s ISL promotion

One last, “very exceptional and non-extendable” extension

By a separate letter on the same day, the court granted a final grace period to deposit the CHF 15,000 and specified the banking evidence required. 

Miss the 27 October cut-off and the appeal will be ruled inadmissible under Article 62(3) LTF. The court’s language—“very exceptional and non-extendable”- leaves no wiggle room.

What Churchill Brothers argued and why it didn’t land?

Churchill told the court they were still waiting for the reasoned CAS award and couldn’t properly assess prospects without it; they also cited financial strain.

The judge wasn’t persuaded. The appeal won’t be suspended pending the reasons, and the payment rule will not be bent due to cash-flow issues. The only concession is the final payment window, nothing more.

What does it mean for Indian football fans right now?

• Inter Kashi will remain I-League champions while the Swiss appeal continues; there’s no stay on the CAS ruling.
• Churchill Brothers’ challenge lives or dies on that CHF 15,000 arriving on time with the proper proofs attached.
• If paid, the case proceeds on the merits; if not, it is dismissed on admissibility grounds before any further arguments are heard.

The backdrop

On 18 July, a sole arbitrator at CAS upheld Inter Kashi’s appeal and reinstated them as I-League winners after the AIFF Appeals Committee had swung the title to Churchill Brothers. Since then, Churchill have pursued multiple avenues—at CAS, in Swiss courts, and in India—to keep the title and promotion picture fluid. 

The Swiss court’s latest word doesn’t decide the whole dispute, but it does keep the current sporting result intact and tightens the procedural screws on Churchill Brothers’ appeal.

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