Kolkata : Churchill Brothers have pulled out of Super Cup 2025 in “protest against the AIFF’s unfair and opaque seeding process.”
Despite topping the I-League table, the club said they were “denied our rightful place and trophy, against the rules, spirit, and integrity of football.”
I-League 2024-25 concluded dramatically on April 6, with 3 final-day matches shaping the title race: Inter Kashi defeated Rajasthan United 3-1 in Kalyani, Churchill Brothers were held to a 1-1 draw by Real Kashmir in Srinagar, Gokulam Kerala crashed out after losing a 4-3 thriller to Dempo SC in Kozhikode.
Churchill Brothers finished on 40 points and Inter Kashi on 39. However, the league title contender is still undecided.
The confusion is from an earlier decision to award Inter Kashi 3 points after Namdhari FC were found guilty of fielding an ineligible player. That ruling was later stayed by the AIFF Appeals Committee, removing those points from Inter Kashi’s tally, pending a final hearing.
If Inter Kashi are re-awarded the points, they will finish on 42 points and leapfrog Churchill to win the title and secure promotion to the Indian Super League (ISL).
If the decision stands, Churchill Brothers will be crowned I-League champions and take the ISL promotion spot.
The AIFF’s Disciplinary Committee heard the matter on April 12, but as of now, no final decision has been announced, further adding to the uncertainty.
Churchill Brothers protested and expressed that they feel denied of their rights (trophy) claiming it went against the rules, spirit, and integrity of football. They added that their decision to withdraw from the Super Cup 2025 was a form of protest against what they described as an unfair and non-transparent seeding process.
Their withdrawal from the Super Cup is direct protest, disgust, response to AIFF’s delay in giving verdict or lack of clarity surrounding the I-League 2024-25 title winner.
