Inter Kashi I-League 2024-25 campaign ended in dramatic fashion after the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) ruled in favor of the club over the controversial registration of Spanish forward Mario Barco. With this decision, Inter Kashi was awarded three crucial points, allowing them to finish the season with 42 points—two clear of Churchill Brothers, who had been leading provisionally.
The dispute centered around Inter Kashi’s I-League 2024-25 decision to re-register Mario Barco. Initially signed before the season, Barco suffered an injury in December and was replaced by Matija Babovic. Later in the season, the club re-registered Barco after Juan Pérez del Pino mutually terminated his contract. However, this move was questioned by the All India Football Federation (AIFF), citing I-League Regulation 6.5.7.
According to the rule, a club can replace a foreign player up to three times in cases of injury, illness, or mutual termination. However, re-registering a player previously ruled out due to injury was interpreted as a violation by the AIFF’s Competitions Committee. Consequently, Kashi was docked four points after the Appeals Committee reversed the initial League Committee’s decision.
Inter Kashi I-League 2024-25 hopes were reignited when the club approached the CAS, which overturned the deduction, reinstating the points. This marks Inter Kashi’s second successful appeal at the CAS this season. Earlier, the club had won a similar case against Namdhari FC, which awarded them three points due to the opposition fielding an ineligible player.
As a result of Friday’s verdict, Inter Kashi I-League 2024-25 title was confirmed, securing a triumphant end to a turbulent campaign. Churchill Brothers, with 40 points, slipped to second, while Inter Kashi celebrated their maiden national league title.
However, the future remains uncertain regarding Inter Kashi’s ISL promotion. While I-League winners Punjab FC and Mohammedan Sporting were promoted in previous seasons, the Indian Super League (ISL) currently faces administrative limbo. The Supreme Court had instructed the AIFF to freeze talks with Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL) pending constitutional clarity.
A leaked draft from FSDL stated that the ISL would not allow expansion or promotion from lower divisions for at least five years unless all stakeholders agreed. It also proposed a 10-year freeze on relegation and promotion until full alignment of all football tiers.
AIFF responded with a counter-draft to revise the Master Rights Agreement (MRA), offering a 5% revenue increase, but this was rejected by FSDL. With no final judgment on the MRA or future promotion pathways, Inter Kashi’s I-League 2024-25 victory may not translate into a place in the ISL immediately.
Still, Inter Kashi I-League 2024-25 title win is historic—symbolizing perseverance through legal and administrative hurdles, and a possible shift in Indian football’s competitive landscape.
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