Inter Kashi have officially been declared champions of the 2024–25 I-League season following a landmark ruling by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Switzerland. The decision comes after a months-long legal tussle that saw the All India Football Federation (AIFF) previously awarding the title to Churchill Brothers.
The controversy began when Inter Kashi were penalised four points by the AIFF’s Appeals Committee for allegedly fielding an `ineligible player`, Spanish striker Mario Barco. The deduction saw the Varanasi-based club drop from the top of the table, allowing Churchill Brothers to take the lead with 42 points and be provisionally crowned champions.
However, Inter Kashi contested the ruling, taking their case to the CAS. On Friday, the Lausanne-based sports arbitration body delivered a decisive verdict in Inter Kashi’s favour. “The AIFF shall forthwith declare Inter Kashi FC as winner of the I-league 2024-25 season,” read the ruling.
“The appeal filed on 4 June 2025 by Inter Kashi FC against the decision issued on 31 May 2025 by the Appeal Committee of the All-India Football Federation is partially upheld.
“The appeal filed on 4 June 2025 by Inter Kashi FC against the decision issued on 31 May 2025 by the Appeal Committee of the All-India Football Federation is partially upheld. The decision issued on 31 May 2025 by the Appeal Committee of the All India Football Federation is set aside,” the CAS added.
What is the Mario Barco controversy?
At the heart of the dispute lies the controversial re-registration of striker Barco. Earlier in the season, Barco had been replaced in the squad due to injury. However, Inter Kashi later sought to bring him back as a replacement for another foreign player. The AIFF’s Competitions Committee initially rejected the move, citing Clause 6.5.7 of the I-League regulations, which restricts the replacement of foreign players to specific circumstances, such as long-term injury or contract termination, and only within a defined window.
Despite the rejection, the AIFF League Committee approved Barco’s return, prompting strong opposition from rival clubs including Churchill Brothers, Real Kashmir, and Namdhari FC. The matter escalated to the AIFF Appeals Committee, which ruled against Inter Kashi and imposed the four-point deduction.
Unwilling to accept what they considered an unjust decision, Inter Kashi escalated the matter to the CAS. The arbitration body ruled in their favour, setting aside the AIFF’s decisions and confirming Inter Kashi’s rightful status as champions.
