Archive · 2 Nov 2025
AIFF Defends I-League Trophy Handover to Inter Kashi Amid Churchill Brothers' Protest
Imagine two soccer teams, Inter Kashi and Churchill Brothers, both thinking they won the I-League championship.
The main soccer bosses, called the AIFF, gave the trophy to Inter Kashi because a big sports court, the CAS, decided they were the winners.
Another court, the Swiss Federal Tribunal, agreed that the CAS decision should stand.
However, Churchill Brothers still has the original trophy and believes the case isn't totally over.
They think it's disrespectful that the AIFF gave Inter Kashi a copy of the trophy without their original one.
The AIFF says they followed all the legal rules and court orders before giving the replica trophy.
Churchill Brothers also has a separate legal case in a different court about Inter Kashi possibly breaking rules.
The All India Football Federation (AIFF) presented a replica I-League trophy to Inter Kashi, citing rulings from the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) and the Swiss Federal Tribunal.
Churchill Brothers disputes the AIFF's action, claiming the final order on the I-League champions is yet to be given by the CAS and calling the trophy handover disrespectful.
The CAS, in decisions dated June 17 and 18, 2025, had declared Inter Kashi as the winners of the I-League 2024-25 season.
The Swiss Federal Tribunal, on July 29, 2025, dismissed Churchill Brothers' request to annul the CAS decision and upheld the ruling in favor of Inter Kashi.
Churchill Brothers is currently in possession of the original I-League trophy, refusing to return it, while the AIFF pursued the trophy presentation with a replica.
Churchill Brothers has also filed a petition in the Delhi High Court seeking Inter Kashi's disqualification due to alleged rule violations during the season.
- Who
- The All India Football Federation (AIFF), Inter Kashi, and Churchill Brothers
- What
- AIFF presented a replica I-League trophy to Inter Kashi following CAS and Swiss Federal Tribunal decisions, which Churchill Brothers disputes.
- When
- Sunday, November 2, 2025 (AIFF statement); Saturday (trophy presentation and Churchill Brothers' protest); June 17-18, 2025 (CAS decision); July 29, 2025 (Swiss Federal Tribunal decision)
- Where
- Goa (Super Cup venue), Bambolim, Lausanne (CAS), Switzerland (Swiss Federal Tribunal)
- Why
- AIFF stated they acted on legal consultations and rulings from CAS and the Swiss Federal Tribunal, which declared Inter Kashi as I-League 2024-25 winners, while Churchill Brothers claim the final order is pending and the trophy handover is disrespectful.
AIFF / Inter Kashi Stance
Churchill Brothers' Stance
I-League Championship Decision
AIFF / Inter Kashi Stance
The AIFF acted on due legal consultation and operative decisions from CAS (June 2025) and the Swiss Federal Tribunal (July 2025), which declared Inter Kashi as the rightful champions of the 2024-25 I-League season.
Churchill Brothers' Stance
The final order from CAS is still pending, and the AIFF's action of presenting a trophy to Inter Kashi is disrespectful and premature, as Churchill Brothers have not been asked to return the original trophy.
Trophy Possession
AIFF / Inter Kashi Stance
A replica trophy was presented to Inter Kashi in accordance with CAS orders, acknowledging their declared championship status.
Churchill Brothers' Stance
Churchill Brothers retains the original I-League trophy and considers the presentation of a replica to Inter Kashi an insult to their supporters, awaiting a final judgment before returning the trophy.
Further Legal Challenges
AIFF / Inter Kashi Stance
The AIFF's actions are in line with existing legal rulings, and they will pursue the return of the original trophy.
Churchill Brothers' Stance
Churchill Brothers is challenging the CAS decision and has filed a petition in the Delhi High Court for Inter Kashi's disqualification over alleged rule violations.
- Federation
- All India Football Federation (AIFF)
- Disputed Parties
- Inter Kashi, Churchill Brothers
- Relevant Bodies
- Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), Swiss Federal Tribunal
- I-League Season
- 2024-25
- AIFF Statement Date
- Sunday, November 2, 2025
- CAS Decision Date
- June 17 & 18, 2025
- Swiss Federal Tribunal Decision Date
- July 29, 2025
- Trophy Status
- Replica presented to Inter Kashi; Original trophy with Churchill Brothers
