Highlighting the administration issues in Indian football, the All India Football Federation (AIFF) seemingly disobeyed an order from the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS) and conducted the trophy presentation of the 2025 I League and handed the trophy to Churchill Brothers.

For those unversed, the second division tournament of Indian football ended earlier his month with Churchill finishing top of the table with 40 points in 22 games. Inter Kashi, who finished second, have 39 points. However, the Goa-based outfit were not declared champions as Kashi's game against Namdhari earlier this season is centre of major controversy.

The Uttar Pradesh-based outfit lost the game 2-0 in January in Ludhiana. However, Namdhari was accused of fielding an ineligible player. Initially, the AIFF claimed that the home team were guilty and declared that they would be punished with a 3-0 defeat. It is worth noting that this will mean three points are added to Kashi's tally which means they have 42 points and are the winners of the league.

However, the decision was later stayed by the AIFF's appeals committee. On 19th April 2025, the committee gave the verdict in favour of Namdhari, meaning Churchill were crowned champions. This led to Kashi deciding to approach CAS.

On Sunday (April 27), the court offered hope for Kashi as they stayed the order and ordered AIFF to not give the trophy to Churchill.

"The application for provisional measures filed by Inter Kashi FC in the matter CAS 2025/A/11374 Inter Kashi FC vs AIFF and Churchill Brothers FC Goa and Namdhari FC is granted. The decision rendered by the Appeal Committee of All India Football Federation, rendered on 18 April, 2025 is stayed," the CAS ruling stated.

The AIFF, Churchill, and Namdhari were given till April 29 to reply to Kashi's application at CAS.

Despite the order, AIFF decided to go ahead with the trophy presentation ceremony in Goa. They justified the procedure by claiming that they were not aware of CAS's order due to a holiday in the AIFF's secretariat.

"The I-League 2024-25 presentation ceremony was concluded on Sunday, April 27, 2025, in Goa. During the event, the champions' trophy and winners' medals were formally presented to Churchill Brothers FC Goa, as per Appeals Committee order and representation made by AIFF to Hon'ble Delhi High Court on April 23, 2025.

"The All India Football Federation (AIFF) would like to clarify that, with regard to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) order, due to a holiday in the AIFF Secretariat, the Federation was only informed of the order at a time when the ceremony had already been concluded in Goa. The AIFF remains committed to adhering to all regulatory and legal processes and will take appropriate action," the AIFF said in a statement.

Get Latest News Live on Times Now along with Breaking News and Top Headlines from IPL 2025,IPL Orange Cap, IPL Purple Cap, Most Sixes in IPL, Football, Sports and around the world.