Lausanne, 18 July 2025 — In a landmark decision, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has ruled in favor of Inter Kashi Football Club, declaring them the official winners of the I-League 2024/2025. This ruling follows a contentious dispute over player eligibility and the recalibration of league standings by the All-India Football Federation (AIFF).
The dispute centered on the registration of foreign player Marco Barco, whose eligibility was challenged after several matches. The AIFF Appeal Committee had ruled on 31 May 2025 that Barco’s registration was invalid, mandating that all matches he participated in be forfeited by Inter Kashi FC. This decision caused the club to drop in the standings, awarding Churchill Brothers FC Goa the top position.
Following the AIFF’s ruling, Inter Kashi FC filed an appeal with CAS on 23 June 2025, seeking to overturn the federation’s decision. The hearing before CAS took place on 15 July 2025. After examining the evidence and arguments presented by all parties, the CAS panel concluded that the AIFF’s ruling should be set aside.
In its decision, CAS instructed the AIFF to restore Inter Kashi FC’s points and adjust the league table accordingly. The revised final standings place Inter Kashi FC at the top with 42 points, followed by Churchill Brothers FC Goa (40 points), Real Kashmir FC (37 points), and Namdhari FC (29 points).
The ruling has significant implications for Inter Kashi FC, securing their first-ever I-League championship title. The decision also underscores the critical role of CAS in ensuring fair and independent adjudication of disputes in international football.
Interestingly, this was not the first time CAS intervened in the 2024/2025 I-League season. On 17 June 2025, CAS had already overturned a sanction imposed on Namdhari FC concerning an ineligible player, ruling in favor of Inter Kashi FC for the match played on 13 January 2025. The result of that match, a 3-0 forfeit against Namdhari FC, was reinstated.
While the official CAS award document will be published unless the parties request confidentiality, the current summary offers a comprehensive view of the tribunal’s findings and the legal reasoning behind the decision. The outcome is a notable affirmation of due process in sports governance.
For Inter Kashi FC, the ruling is not only a legal victory but also a historic sporting milestone. The club can now claim the I-League trophy with full recognition, capping a season marked by resilience, legal battles, and ultimately, triumph.