Churchill Brothers FC Goa Withdraws from Super Cup 2025 Over Seeding Irregularities
Churchill Brothers FC Goa Withdraws from Super Cup 2025 Over Seeding Irregularities
Date: 12th April 2025
Location: Goa
In a major development that has sparked intense debate within the Indian football community, Churchill Brothers FC Goa has officially withdrawn from the upcoming Super Cup 2025, citing procedural irregularities and lack of transparency by the All India Football Federation (AIFF).
In a strongly worded letter addressed to Shri Kalyan Chaubey, President of the AIFF, Churchill Brothers expressed deep dissatisfaction over the manner in which the seeding draw for the Super Cup was conducted. The club alleges that while Indian Super League (ISL) teams were seeded according to their 2024-25 season standings, the same principle was not applied to I-League teams.
According to Churchill Brothers, as the top-placed team in the 2024-25 I-League, they were entitled to the 14th seed in the Super Cup. However, this spot was allegedly awarded to Inter Kashi FC through what the club describes as a “highly irregular and unconventional” draw of lots.
The club further stated that the AIFF’s failure to correct this process has led to Inter Kashi FC misrepresenting themselves as I-League champions — a move Churchill Brothers claims not only undermines their achievement but also damages the integrity of Indian football.
“The draw of lots adopted by the AIFF lacks transparent legitimacy. The fact that different teams have been subject to different methods of determining their seed is patently unfair,” the club stated in its letter.
Adding to the controversy, Churchill Brothers also criticized the AIFF’s refusal to officially declare them as I-League champions and award them the trophy, citing Rule 14.4 of the I-League Regulations 2024-25. The club emphasized that national and international sporting norms require a winner to be declared upon a competition’s conclusion, regardless of pending legal challenges.
“Thus, in the face of the AIFF’s blatant disregard towards rules, established precedent, and sporting spirit, we have no choice but to withdraw from the Super Cup 2025 in protest,” the letter concluded.
This decision is likely to cause ripples across the Indian football landscape and put additional pressure on the AIFF to respond to the allegations of bias and procedural lapses.
Well done decision by Churchill Brothers.
You’ve shown true spirit of principle & loads of integrity over unfair treatment given by AIFF, who should have declared C/Bros. as champions, notwithstanding the outcome of the Inter Kashi appeals claim result.