In a major development that could significantly alter the I-League title race, the All India Football Federation’s (AIFF) Appeals Committee has ruled against Inter Kashi, upholding complaints filed by Churchill Brothers, Real Kashmir, and Namdhari FC. The committee concluded that Inter Kashi had violated I-League regulations by fielding a seventh foreign player, leading to the forfeiture of their matches against the three complainant clubs.
The controversy dates back to a formal complaint lodged by Namdhari FC on 29 March, in which the Punjab-based club accused Inter Kashi of breaching Articles 6.5.6 and 6.5.7 of the I-League rulebook. According to tournament regulations, clubs are permitted to register a maximum of six foreign players, with re-registration allowed only in cases of season-ending injury or mutual contract termination.
Namdhari alleged that Inter Kashi re-registered Spanish striker Mario Barco (jersey No. 9) in game week 15, after he was earlier replaced by Serbian forward Matija Babovic (jersey No. 30) in game week 9. The club claimed that both players were active in subsequent match days, effectively making Barco the seventh foreign player in the squad, a clear breach of the rules.
“It must be noted that the re-introduction of jersey No. 9 into the squad is a clear violation of I-League Regulation 6.5.7,” Namdhari stated in their letter to the AIFF Disciplinary Committee. The club further argued that there was no valid reason, such as injury or contract termination, for Barco’s re-entry into the 30-man squad.
After weeks of deliberation and appeals from multiple clubs, the AIFF Appeals Committee ruled in favour of the complainants. As a result, Inter Kashi’s fixtures against Churchill Brothers, Real Kashmir, and Namdhari will be treated as forfeits, with points awarded to the opposing sides. The I-League points table is now set to be revised accordingly, a move that could significantly impact the title race and final standings.
Inter Kashi Responds, Moves to CAS
In response to the verdict, Inter Kashi issued a strongly worded statement expressing disappointment and announced plans to appeal the decision at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
“While it is unfortunate that Inter Kashi has to approach CAS yet again for a truly free and fair hearing of the matter, it seems to be the new reality of Indian Football,” the club stated.
Inter Kashi maintained that it had always complied with the league’s rules “in both letter and spirit” and expressed shock over what it called a misinterpretation of simple regulations. “The Club is flabbergasted that such simple rules and regulations can be twisted and misinterpreted in such a manner through which the Club is now suffering without any fault of its own,” the statement read.
No date has yet been confirmed for the CAS hearing, and the AIFF has not issued any additional comments since the verdict was announced.
With just days remaining before the start of the next football season, the development has added another layer of legal drama to the I-League.
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