ISL Clubs Stand United Against AIFF's Churchill Brothers Proposal
In a significant development for Indian football, the clubs of the Indian Super League (ISL) have jointly and firmly rejected a proposal from the All India Football Federation (AIFF) to include Churchill Brothers in the ongoing 2025-26 season. The unified stance from the ISL clubs highlights deep concerns about maintaining the competitive integrity and merit-based structure of the league.
Clubs Cite Integrity Concerns and Finalized Structure
The clubs have articulated that introducing a new team midway through the season would be "inconsistent with merit-based participation and undermines competitive integrity". In a formal letter addressed to the national federation, the clubs expressed confusion about why this issue is being revisited, stating, "Given that this issue was previously deliberated upon and aligned in discussions with the AIFF, we are unclear on the basis for reopening the matter."
Emphasizing the sanctity of the current league framework, the clubs declared, "The ISL 2025–26 league structure is closed and final. It forms the basis of existing sporting, operational, financial and contractual commitments. No expansion or alteration is acceptable at this stage." This statement underscores the comprehensive planning and agreements that underpin the season.
AIFF's Communication and Club Responses
On Wednesday, the AIFF had formally written to twelve ISL clubs—excluding FC Goa and Sporting Club Delhi—seeking their consent to include the Goan club, Churchill Brothers, in the current campaign. Interestingly, FC Goa and Sporting Club Delhi had previously indicated their agreement to the inclusion but with the important caveat that they would abide by the decision of the majority of the clubs.
The clubs' latest communication to the AIFF made it clear that the proposal lacks the necessary support, stating, "In any event, as the overwhelming majority of participating clubs do not consent to any expansion, and as the Federation retains regulatory authority over league composition, this matter ought to be treated as closed." This positions the AIFF's regulatory role as pivotal in finalizing the decision.
Background and Previous Rejections
The AIFF's letter, signed by deputy secretary-general Satyanarayan M, referenced messages from Sporting Club Delhi and FC Goa dated February 13—just one day before the much-delayed and truncated season commenced. However, this move follows earlier rejections of Churchill Brothers' inclusion.
On February 11, the fourteen ISL clubs had collectively questioned Churchill Brothers' desperate plea to join the ISL. The very next day, on February 12, the AIFF Executive Committee itself quashed the proposal, indicating a pattern of resistance to altering the league's composition mid-season.
Root Cause: I-League Controversy
The issue traces back to a controversy in the previous I-League season. Churchill Brothers were initially declared provisional winners of the 2024-25 I-League season. However, Inter Kashi, who had points docked during that season, successfully appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) to overturn that decision.
As a result, Inter Kashi were promoted to the top division, where they have already participated in two matches, drawing both. This chain of events left Churchill Brothers without a spot in the ISL, leading to their ongoing efforts to gain entry, which have now been firmly rebuffed by the league's existing clubs.
The collective rejection by ISL clubs underscores a commitment to stability and fairness in Indian football, ensuring that the competitive landscape remains predictable and merit-driven for all stakeholders involved.
