All posts tagged: ILeague

Churchill Brothers Withdraw From Upcoming Super Cup For Not Being Declared I-League Winners

Churchill Brothers Withdraw From Upcoming Super Cup For Not Being Declared I-League Winners

Published by Webster

Churchill Brothers have withdrawn from the Super Cup tournament starting April 20 in Bhubaneswar, protesting against the All India Football Federation’s (AIFF) decision to not officially declare them as 2024-25 I-League champions, calling it a “blatant disregard of rules and precedent” by the national governing body. In a letter written on Saturday to AIFF President Kalyan Chaubey, the Goan club also cited “irregularities” in the conduct of the Super Cup draw as another reason for the pulling out of the April 20-May 3 tournament. “This letter is to inform you of our withdrawal from the Super Cup 2025. On 09.04.2025, we wrote to you inviting your attention to irregularities in the manner in which the Super Cup 2025 draw had occurred,” Churchill said in the letter. “We have received no clarification as to the reason for the highly irregular and unconventional process adopted by the AIFF in conducting the draw, nor has said process been rectified.” Churchill said “the fact that different teams have been subject to different methods of determining their seed …

Churchill Brothers withdraw from Super Cup amid I-League title controversy

Churchill Brothers withdraw from Super Cup amid I-League title controversy

Published by Webster

Churchill Brothers have officially withdrawn from the Super Cup 2025, citing the All India Football Federation’s (AIFF) “unfair and opaque seeding process, as per reports.” The club, which finished top of the I-League 2024–25 table*, has accused the federation of denying them their “rightful place and trophy” despite their on-field performance. Churchill Brothers have withdrawn from the Super Cup 2025 “in protest against the AIFF’s unfair and opaque seeding process.” Despite topping the I-League table, the club said they were “denied our rightful place and trophy, against the rules, spirit, and integrity of football.” — Marcus Mergulhao (@MarcusMergulhao) April 13, 2025 The club expressed that they felt denied their rightful place and trophy, claiming it went against the rules, spirit, and integrity of football. They added that their decision to withdraw from the Super Cup 2025 was a form of protest against what they described as an unfair and non-transparent seeding process. The I-League season concluded dramatically on April 6, with three final-day matches shaping the title race: Inter Kashi defeated Rajasthan United 3-1 in …

I-League champion to be crowned earlier than expected; AIFF to meet on Saturday

I-League champion to be crowned earlier than expected; AIFF to meet on Saturday

Published by Webster

The All India Football Federation appeals committee meeting to crown the 2024-25 I-League champion will take place on 12 April, 2025, Saturday. The meeting was originally scheduled for April 28, but the conclusion of the league last week and the pressure to crown the champion, forced AIFF to meet 15 days early. What’s at stake? “This will probably be the most important decision of the appeals committee, as the I-League Champions will be decided based on the order of the committee,” a senior official said as per Times of India. The I-League season ended last week with a thrilling final matchday action, where the Churchill Brothers FC topped the league table with a 1-1 draw against Dempo FC, accumulating 40 points this season. However, the second-placed Inter Kashi FC with 39 points is still in contention for the league title because of their ongoing appeal against Namdhari FC, accusing them of fielding an ineligible player against them. Inter Kashi was initially awarded three points and a +3 goal difference after a successful appeal against Namdhari …

Mohun Bagan, FC Goa, BFC to face I-League Sides

Mohun Bagan, FC Goa, BFC to face I-League Sides

Published by Webster

The fixtures for the Kalinga Super Cup 2025 were announced on Monday, April 7, 2025. The tournament, which will be played in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, from April 20 to May 3, will see participation from 16 clubs (13 from the Indian Super League and three from the I-League), in a single-elimination knock-out format. All matches will take place at the Kalinga Stadium. The ISL teams were seeded for the round of 16 according to their final league position in the 2024-25 season. Three I-League teams confirmed their participation – Churchill Brothers FC Goa, Inter Kashi, and Gokulam Kerala FC. They will face the top three ISL teams (Mohun Bagan Super Giant, FC Goa and Bengaluru FC). These three match-ups will be decided by a draw on Wednesday, April 9. The round of 16 will be played on April 20, 21, 23 and 24, the quarter-finals on April 26 and 27, the semi-finals on April 30, and the final on May 3. If the scores are level at the end of 90 minutes in the round of …

Who will win the I-League and how?

Who will win the I-League and how?

Published by Webster

The I-League 2024-25 season concluded in dramatic fashion on April 6, but the champion is still not confirmed. Despite three simultaneous fixtures going down to the wire, off-field uncertainty has left the title race hanging in the balance. On the final day: Inter Kashi defeated Rajasthan United 3-1 in Kalyani. Churchill Brothers were held to a 1-1 draw by Real Kashmir in Srinagar. Gokulam Kerala crashed out after losing a 7-goal thriller 4-3 to Dempo SC in Kozhikode. In what was expected to be a photo finish, each of the top four clubs needed a combination of results to swing their way. In the end, Churchill Brothers ended up top of the table with 40 points, just one ahead of Inter Kashi on 39. So why is the title still undecided? Inter Kashi had previously been awarded 3 points after Namdhari FC were found guilty of fielding an ineligible player. However, the AIFF Appeals Committee stayed that decision, meaning those three points were removed from Kashi’s tally pending a final hearing. -If Inter Kashi are …

Heartbreak for SC Bengaluru as debut I-League campaign ends in relegation; Aizawl FC survive

Heartbreak for SC Bengaluru as debut I-League campaign ends in relegation; Aizawl FC survive

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Bengaluru were relegated despite a valiant 2–2 draw against Sreenidi Deccan in the I-League 2024–25 season on Saturday. Aizawl FC, their closest relegation rivals, clinched survival with a commanding 3–0 win over Namdhari FC, courtesy of a match-winning brace by Lalrinzuala. Both teams began the day level on 20 points, but Aizawl held the edge on head-to-head record. SC Bengaluru needed to win and hope Aizawl dropped points. But while the debutants could only salvage a draw, Aizawl rose to the occasion and earned a crucial three points, extending their top-flight stay to an 11th consecutive season. S C Bengaluru finished second from bottom with 21 points, bowing out after a brave but ultimately futile campaign. Sreenidi Deccan 2–2 SC Bengaluru: Gallant Effort, but Not Enough At the Deccan Arena, SC Bengaluru pushed hard in a must-win encounter. After a goalless first half, David Castañeda Muñoz struck early in the second period (47’) to put Sreenidi in front. Bengaluru fought back with determination. Substitute Ishaan Raghunanda (67’) equalised with a well-controlled finish, offering brief hope. …

What each team needs to win 2024-25 I-League title in final week?

What each team needs to win 2024-25 I-League title in final week?

Published by Webster

The 2024-25 I-League season is entering its final phase, with teams making a strong push to secure the top spot on the leaderboard. With just one match week left, four teams – Churchill Brothers, Gokulam Kerala, Real Kashmir, and Inter Kashi* – remain in contention for the title. On Sunday, a thrilling encounter between Churchill Brothers FC and Inter Kashi ended in a 2-2 draw. The match was anticipated to be the title decider for the 2024-25 I-League, but it left the championship race wide open. Inter Kashi, currently in third place with 36 points from the same number of matches, is at risk of being eliminated from the title race due to their weaker head-to-head record against both Churchill Brothers and Real Kashmir. Their fate now depends on the outcome of an appeal to the AIFF Appeal Committee. As all four teams gear up for their final matches, here are the possible scenarios for each contender: Churchill Brothers FC – 39 points After their draw with Inter Kashi, Churchill Brothers FC faces a must-win …

AIFF issues advisories to clubs playing I-League 2 matches in Manipur

AIFF issues advisories to clubs playing I-League 2 matches in Manipur

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The All India Football Federation (AIFF) issued an advisory to clubs and players set to play their I-League 2 matches in the ethnic violence hit Manipur. The federation asked the clubs to ensure the team members’ cell phones are ‘operational and fully charged at all times’. It has also asked the players and team members to avoid crowded places, local markets and gatherings. According to the advisory, “players, team officials, and local players associated with the teams should not leave the hotel premises without obtaining prior approval from the designated liaison officer and local authorities.” The federation has also asked the teams to book hotels with robust security systems. “Teams have been strongly advised to book their accommodation at two designated hotels which offer robust internal security measures, and additional security coverage can be arranged as needed,” the advisory stated. “All transportation for teams must be via AIFF-approved vehicles, accompanied by security escorts for every official movement,” the competitions department of the AIFF said in the travel advisory. The AIFF also said that the decision …

Real Kashmir FC register first away win of I-League 2024-25

Real Kashmir FC register first away win of I-League 2024-25

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Mohammad Inam’s 52nd minute goal proved the difference as Real Kashmir FC registered their first away win the I-League 2024-25 when they beat Gokulam Kerala FC 1-0 at the EMS Corporation Stadium on Wednesday night. While Real Kashmir now have 23 points from 14 matches behind leaders Churchill Brothers (27), Namdhari FC (24) and Inter Kashi (24), Gokulam stay at the seventh place with 19 points from 14 outings. The hosts, a livelier lot For two sides currently mired in a mid-table battle, the game provided an opportunity to perhaps separate themselves from the pack and try to regain ground in the title challenge. The hosts looked the livelier lot. In the 14th minute, they carved out the first chance, when Ignacio de Loyola squared his pass to Adama Niane at the top of the box. The striker hit a brilliant shot first time, but straight at the Real Kashmir goalkeeper Zahid Hussain who punched it away. Six minutes later, Real Kashmir rocked the woodwork, when Kamal Issah picked up the ball 30 yards from …

Draw fest as Rajasthan United, Aizawl, Sreenidi, and Real Kashmir share points

Draw fest as Rajasthan United, Aizawl, Sreenidi, and Real Kashmir share points

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Aizawl FC secured a crucial away point against Rajasthan United, keeping their survival hopes alive with a 1-1 draw. Despite strong pressure from Rajasthan, Aizawl’s defense held firm, while a late chance from Lalbiakdika saw them miss a potential winner. Sreenidi Deccan FC also played out a 1-1 draw with Real Kashmir FC. After falling behind, Deccan equalized through Eli Sabia before both teams struggled to break the deadlock in the second half. Aizawl FC snatch an away point from Rajasthan United Aizawl FC took a hugely valuable point against Rajasthan United. With their two other relegation rivals scheduled to play each other later in the week, the point keeps Aizawl’s heads over water for now. While the team from the northeast now have 10 points from 13 matches, Rajasthan United moved to fourth place with 20 points from 13 outings. Rajasthan United are unbeaten in the last nine matches and have logged 17 points. In a sedate first half, Aizawl were boxed in by a rampant Rajasthan United midfield keen to impress their dominance …