Swiss Court dismisses Churchill Brothers’ appeal; acknowledges Inter Kashi’s status as 2024–25 I-League champions

The Federal Supreme Court of Switzerland has dismissed Churchill Brothers’ appeal against the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) ruling that had declared Inter Kashi as the official champion of the I-League last season.

The order, issued a few days ago, brings final closure to a prolonged legal saga involving multiple I-League clubs and the All India Football Federation (AIFF). This means Inter Kashi’s League triumph, confirmed by CAS on 18th July, will stand as Churchill Brothers, Real Kashmir, and Namdhari FC finishing second, third, and fourth in the League, respectively.

Churchill Brothers, who were initially handed the title by the AIFF Appeals Committee after Inter Kashi were docked points, had challenged the CAS verdict in Switzerland. The club had hoped to overturn the CAS ruling and retain its place at the top of the I-League table. In their appeal, Churchill Brothers argued that they were unfairly stripped of the I-League title and that the CAS decision had profound implications for their future, particularly with discussions about the ISL becoming a closed league. They claimed that being denied the title also meant losing a pathway to ISL promotion and the associated sporting, media, and financial benefits.

Churchill’s lawyers had requested the Swiss top court to issue super-provisional and provisional measures, including a suspension of the CAS ruling and, alternatively, permission for Churchill Brothers to participate in the upcoming ISL 2025–26 season.

Swiss Federal Supreme Court in its final decision has rejected all of Churchill Brothers’s arguments. It concluded that both Inter Kashi and Churchill Brothers were in similar positions, each seeking entry into the ISL. Thus, no clear interest imbalance existed to grant Churchill special relief.

In its ruling, the court noted: “It is not possible to conclude, on the basis of the explanations provided by the appellant, that the latter’s interests outweigh those of Inter Kashi FC, given that both clubs are at risk of not being able to play in the Indian first division.”

Further, the court stated that it lacked jurisdiction to issue any directive that could impact ISL participation or AIFF’s operational structure. As such, Churchill’s plea to allow both them and Inter Kashi to be included in ISL 2025–26 was outside the remit of the Swiss judiciary.

“The Federal Court cannot grant provisional measures when these exceed its jurisdiction… since it may only, except in cases not applicable here, set aside an award when it is seized of an appeal in arbitration matters.”

 

With the Swiss court upholding the CAS’s ruling, the matter is now closed at all levels. AIFF, after the CAS decision, only updated the final I-League standings, confirming Inter Kashi as champions with 42 points, followed by Churchill Brothers with 40 points.

This decision also reaffirms CAS’s directive asking AIFF and the involved clubs to comply with the original arbitration order, which included financial penalties and legal reimbursements.

AIFF was directed to bear 55% of the arbitration costs, while each of the three protesting clubs, Churchill, Real Kashmir, and Namdhari, were instructed to pay 15% each. Additionally, Inter Kashi were awarded legal compensation from all four parties.

However, while reacting to the Swiss Court’s decision founder and president of the Goan outfit, Churchill Alemao said, “We have not yet received any order from the Swiss Court. I can comment only after receiving it.”

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