Diamond Harbour FC (DHFC) has obtained a 'stay-order' from the District Judge Court, South 24 Parganas, restraining the Indian Football Association (IFA) from announcing East Bengal as the champion of the CFL Premier Division this season. The order stands till 19th March 2025.

DHFC refusing to play against East Bengal gave them a walkover and East Bengal, earning full points from the match won the CFL Premier Division title this season. DHFC also did not appear on the ground in the concluding match of the Premier Division against Mohammedan Sporting. 

The club secretary Akash Banerjee when asked about their move to court explained, “This is our protest against the IFA's lackluster functioning. East Bengal, Mohammedan Sporting, and Diamond Harbour FC were called by the IFA, and in the discussion, we all informed that we would not be able to take part in our remaining matches of the CFL due to Santosh Trophy where six footballers from our team were engaged. But surprisingly, and unfortunately, IFA rescheduled our matches at a time when our boys were participating continuously in the I-League-2 and the RFDL.”

He continued, "How could we play against East Bengal on 13th February when we were scheduled to play in the I-League-2 match and a match in the RFDL within the next 48 hours? It is not that we moved to the court immediately after our remaining matches were rescheduled. We sent appeal letters to the IFA a couple of times informing them that we would not be able to play a match on the 13th and requested them to fix it on the next day. But without any consideration, the IFA stuck to its schedule.”

Akash pointed out specifically adding, “Why did not IFA call the three clubs again for the discussion after Santosh Trophy, before fixing the dates of our matches?”

The club secretary raised questions stating, “The same thing happened last year. I feel the intention is not good. The functioning of IFA, especially in running the CFL Premier Division should be proper and unbiased.”

IFA secretary Anirban Dutta however said, “I can only make comments on the issue after a discussion with our lawyers.”