New Delhi: 

Twenty four hours after the All India Football Federation announced Churchill Brothers to have finished on top of the I-League “provisionally”, president Kalyan Chaubey deemed them as champions while chairing its executive committee on Monday, adding more confusion to an already convoluted matter.

‘Congratulations’

But at its executive committee meeting in New Delhi on Monday, Chaubey acknowledged Churchill as the champions, when former India skipper Bhaichung Bhutia asked about the fate of the I-League.

“I pointed out that Indian football will get a very bad name if the winner is decided in office rather than on the field. Responding to it, president Kalyan (Chaubey) said that Churchill are the champions,” the former striker told News9 Sports.

“Kalyan even congratulated Valanka (Alemao Churchill) infront of everybody present in the meeting.”

Bhutia’s account of events was corroborated by a source, who confirmed that, “He (Kalyan) congratulated her (Valanka) on winning the I League,” adding that he also mentioned the matter would be decided by the appeals committee.

AIFF’s executive committee member Valanka is also the CEO of Churchill Brothers.

“In reply to Bhaichung’s question, the president did congratulate Churchill for their success but it was not made in any official capacity. So there is nothing official about it. The matter will be decided by the appeals committee,” another person, who attended the meeting, said.

The AIFF had earlier posted scenarios how Kashi could win, saying: “With the pending AIFF Appeal Committee’s hearing on Match no. 45 (where Inter Kashi were awarded a 3-0 forfeit victory by the AIFF Disciplinary Committee, and subsequently, a stay order was imposed on the forfeiture by the Appeal Committee on March 27, 2025, and Namdhari’s original 2-0 win was reinstated), Inter Kashi will still stand a chance to win the 2024-25 I-League IF
– Inter Kashi receive a favourable decision in the AIFF Appeal Committee hearing, AND
– Inter Kashi win against Rajasthan United AND Churchill Brothers do not win against Real Kashmir, OR Inter Kashi get a point against Rajasthan United, Churchill Brothers lose to Real Kashmir and Gokulam Kerala do not win against Dempo.”

Complaints over fielding of ineligible players have flown thick and fast in the I-League this season with Namdhari, Kashmir, SC Bengaluru, Delhi FC and Gokulam Kerala all filling protests against Kashi.

Bengaluru have lodged a similar complaint against Namdhari while Rajasthan United sought action against Kashmir, with the disciplinary committee yet to set a date to hear these matters.

Through its 1-1 draw in Srinagar against Real Kashmir on Sunday, Churchill had finished the 12-team competition with 40 points from 22 matches, one ahead of Inter Kashi, who await a hearing of the appeals committee on April 28 for the fate of their match against Namdhari FC.

Kashi had lost to Namdhari 0-2 away in Sri Bhaini Sahib, Ludhiana, on January 13 but were awarded the maximum three points and a +3 goal difference from the match by AIFF’s disciplinary committee after lodging a complaint against their opponent for fielding an eligible player.

But AIFF’s appeals committee put a temporary stay on its disciplinary committee’s decision, setting a fresh date of April 28 to provide a final verdict, 22 days after the completion of the competition.

The disciplinary committee considered Namdhari to forfeit the match on account of fielding an ineligible player, which wasn’t endorsed by the four-member appeals committee.

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