In what has been one of the most dramatic I-League seasons in recent years, Churchill Brothers have finally clinched the I-League title for the 2024–25 season. The All India Football Federation (AIFF) made the announcement official on Friday, ending weeks of confusion and controversy.
With this triumph, Churchill Brothers have secured long-awaited promotion to the Indian Super League (ISL) for the 2025–26 season — a goal the Goan club had been working toward for years.
A Tense Finish to the I-League Title Race
Churchill Brothers finished at the top of the table with 40 points after a 1-1 draw against Real Kashmir on the final matchday. Despite ending the season as table-toppers, the I-League title was left hanging in the balance due to a disciplinary dispute involving their closest challengers, Inter Kashi.
The controversy revolved around a previous AIFF ruling that awarded Inter Kashi three points after Namdhari FC fielded an ineligible player. However, Namdhari appealed the decision, arguing they weren’t given a fair chance to respond — a clear breach of natural justice. The AIFF Appeals Committee agreed that due process wasn’t followed and allowed Namdhari’s win over Inter Kashi to stand.
That result eventually knocked Inter Kashi out of contention for the I-League title, allowing Churchill Brothers to hold their position at the top.
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Churchill’s Protest and Inter Kashi’s Legal Push
Even as the points stood in their favor, Churchill Brothers weren’t satisfied with the delay in recognition. Just days before the final decision, the club withdrew from the 2025 Super Cup in protest, criticizing the AIFF’s “unfair and opaque” seeding process. The move was widely seen as a public outcry over the uncertainty surrounding the I-League title and their promotion to the ISL.
Following AIFF’s official declaration of Churchill Brothers as the I-League title winners, Inter Kashi announced their intention to take the matter to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
In a statement, they stressed the necessity for a fair and unbiased hearing while acknowledging the closing of all internal dispute procedures. Inter Kashi asserts that their case depends on a clear understanding of the law and that they are still dedicated to seeking justice.
What This I-League Title Saga Means for Indian Football?
People will remember both the action on the field and the excitement off the field that decided who won the 2024–25 I-League title race. This title win is more than just a trophy for Churchill Brothers; it’s a raise they earned and proof of how hard they worked.
In addition to adding a new chapter to the changing landscape of Indian football, their promotion to the ISL is a significant turning point in the club’s history. But Inter Kashi’s request to CAS suggests that the drama surrounding this year’s I-League championship might not be finished yet. As Indian football continues to grow, maintaining transparency, fair play, and clear governance in competitions like the I-League will be crucial.
For now, Churchill Brothers are the champions of the 2024–25 I-League — and proud holders of the season’s most talked-about I-League title.
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