The All India Football Federation has officially declared Inter Kashi as the I-League 2024-25 champions and confirmed the club’s elevation to the Indian Super League for the upcoming 2025-26 season of the ISL (when and if it is held that is).
This decision follows a prolonged legal battle, culminating in two favourable rulings from the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) that sided with Inter Kashi, overturning earlier verdicts by the AIFF Appeals Committee.
AIFF deputy secretary general Satyanarayan M confirmed the decision in a letter to Inter Kashi president Prithijit Das, that was accessed by Times of India.
“Following a thorough deliberation and in compliance with the final and binding award issued by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), the AIFF is pleased to officially declare Inter Kashi FC as the champions of the I-League 2024-25,” the letter read.
“This decision is based on the AIFF’s obligations as a member of FIFA to respect and implement the decisions of CAS, which are integral to the regulatory framework of international football,” it continued.
“The AIFF is pleased to confirm that, as champions of the I-League 2024-25, Inter Kashi FC is hereby promoted to the Indian Super League (ISL) for the upcoming season on sporting merit, subject to Inter Kashi fulfilling the League’s financial and technical mandates.”
Inter Kashi declared champions after favourable CAS rulings
Last year’s I-League title journey was mired in controversy. Initially, the AIFF named Churchill Brothers as champions, citing point deductions against Kashi over Spanish forward Mario Barco’s re-registration. Barco had been replaced midseason due to injury but was later re-registered, triggering protests from Churchill, Namdhari FC, and Real Kashmir FC.
The AIFF’s appeals panel had ruled against Inter Kashi, but the CAS rulings restored their points and declaring them I-League champions.
Following this, Inter Kashi was also promoted to the top tier ISL.
Speaking of controversies, it is yet to be determined whether ISL’s 2025-26 season will even take place after Reliance-controlled Football Sports Development Limited – AIFF’s commercial partner that operates the ISL – declared that it will not be renewing its Master Rights Agreement with the AIFF when the MRA contract expires on 8th December 2025.
