Kashi FC adjudged I-League champions

Inter Kashi FC were declared I-League 2024–25 champions after the Court of Arbitration for Sport overturned an AIFF decision that had earlier invalidated their player registration and altered the standings

Hyderabad: The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has partially upheld an appeal by Inter Kashi Football Club against Churchill Brothers FC Goa, Namdhari FC, Real Kashmir FC, and the All India Football Federation (AIFF). CAS ruled that the AIFF must declare Inter Kashi FC as the winners of the I-League 2024–25 season.

The AIFF congratulated Inter Kashi FC on being adjudged I-League champions.

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Following an earlier procedure initiated by several I-League clubs, the AIFF Disciplinary Committee dismissed the case. However, on May 31, 2025, the AIFF Appeal Committee declared that the registration of foreign player Marco Barco by Inter Kashi FC was invalid, ordering all matches involving him to be forfeited. This shifted the top spot in the I-League table to Churchill Brothers FC Goa.

Inter Kashi FC appealed the ruling on June 23, 2025, and following a CAS hearing on July 15, 2025, the panel set aside the AIFF Appeal Committee’s decision and ordered a readjustment of the points table.

As per the CAS ruling, the final standings are: Inter Kashi FC – 42 points, Churchill Brothers FC Goa – 40, Real Kashmir FC – 37, and Namdhari FC – 29.

CAS had earlier overturned a decision of the AIFF Appeal Committee on June 17, 2025, lifting a sanction on Namdhari FC for fielding an ineligible player. However, it upheld the original ruling by the AIFF Disciplinary Committee, declaring the January 13, 2025, match between Namdhari FC and Inter Kashi FC as forfeited by Namdhari (0–3).