Shillong, Apr 6: Churchill Brothers ended the last day of the I-League 2024-25 season on top of the points table but can’t quite yet celebrate the title as they must way until the end of the month before the All India Football Federation rules on a match that doesn’t even directly involve them.
Churchill squeezed out a 1-1 draw today at Real Kashmir to finish on 40 points. Meanwhile, Inter Kashi defeated Rajasthan FC 3-1 and Dempo came from behind for a 4-3 win over Gokulam Kerala FC.
Inter Kashi thus have 39 points, with Real Kashmir and Gokulam Kerala both ending on 37.
However, the story isn’t done yet as the AIFF will only rule on a dispute between Kashi and Namdhari FC on 28th April. That decision could hand the title to Kashi.
In the 45th match of the season, on 13th January, Namdhari beat Kashi 2-0. However, the latter complained that one of Namdhari’s players fielded that day – Cledson Carvalho da Silva – should have been ineligible as he had received four yellow cards in the run-up to that fixture.
The AIFF’s disciplinary committee at first agreed and awarded Inter Kashi 3 points and a 3-0 win. However, on 27th March, the appeals committee stayed the earlier decision after Namdhari argued that the CRS player registration system did not show Cledson as being ineligible and the club had fielded him in good faith.
The points table thus reflects the original 2-0 result in Namdhari’s favour. If, however, the AIFF rules in favour of Inter Kashi, they will overtake Churchill and win the title. Whichever team emerges champions will also be promoted to next season’s Indian Super League.
It’s not a great way for the I-League trophy to be decided.
(Photo: I-League Media)
