Churchill Brothers Asked to Return I-League Trophy Following Controversy
In a surprising turn of events, the All India Football Federation (AIFF) has requested the Churchill Brothers football club to return the I-League trophy. This comes after questions arose regarding the legitimacy of the award, especially after a ruling from the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) instructed the AIFF to refrain from presenting the trophy.
On Sunday, just hours after CAS put a hold on AIFF’s decision to name Churchill Brothers as champions, the federation went ahead and awarded the trophy during a ceremony. AIFF Deputy Secretary General M Satyanarayan later stated that the organization only became aware of the CAS ruling after the trophy presentation had concluded because their office was closed that day.
However, on Monday, the AIFF changed its stance and formally asked the club to return the trophy. An AIFF source confirmed, “We are obliged to follow the CAS order. The matter will be resolved by CAS, and we will present the trophy again based on their decision.”
Meanwhile, Caitano Fernandes, president of the Goa Football Association (GFA), expressed concern over the AIFF’s actions. He called for an urgent review of the situation, emphasizing that ignoring a legal directive could damage both the AIFF’s reputation and Indian football’s standing internationally. In a letter to AIFF Executive Committee members, he described the presentation as a serious misstep.
Fernandes also raised issues about a lack of communication surrounding the trophy presentation, stating that he was initially invited but not informed about the actual event after that. He felt this showed a "disrespectful attitude" toward the GFA.
In response to these claims, Satyanarayan stated that the miscommunication was unintentional. He explained that the trophy presentation was initially set for April 26 but was delayed to April 27 at Churchill’s request. He had only arrived in Goa shortly before the ceremony, which added to the confusion.
During the league, Churchill Brothers finished at the top of the table, but their title and the chance to move to the Indian Super League depended on a disputed match result involving another club, Inter Kashi. After various rulings related to that match, AIFF had ultimately declared Churchill Brothers as champions after confirming their appeal.
This unfolding situation highlights the complexities within Indian football and the importance of following due process to maintain credibility.
