Churchill Brothers are back in the I-League after an All India Football Federation (AIFF) Emergency Committee meeting where the decision to reinstate the Goan club was approved.
An AIFF press release said, “The members of the committee discussed the directives of the Hon’ble Delhi High Court dated November 28, 2016, in details. It was observed by the committee that the Hon’ble Delhi High Court has directed AIFF to take into account the track records and history of Churchill Bros. while considering their representation”.
The AIFF said that they took the court order and Churchill’s commitment to fulfilling the licensing criteria before allowing them to return to the I-League fold.
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The club was banned by the AIFF in 2014 after they had failed to meet AFC Club licensing criteria. They were ousted from the I-League along with United Sports Club, Mohammedan Sporting and Rangdajied United.
Churchill are likely to be the only Goan club in the I-League fold in 2017 after Dempo SC, Salgaocar and Sporting Club de Goa all withdrew in protest against the roadmap proposed by the AIFF to restructure Indian football.
Aizawl FC’s promotion played a huge role in Churchill finding their way back
Last week, a source close to the club told the Times of India, “Churchill Brothers have filed a writ petition and it is expected to come up for hearing next week in Delhi. If the AIFF can retain Aizawl FC in the I-League, they might as well allow Churchill Brothers to play.”
Aizawl FC had been promoted to play in the I-League in 2016, but they didn’t fulfil the club licensing criteria. But the AIFF is allowed to grant any club a one-time exception. However, Aizawl still haven’t fulfilled the required criteria, but they will be a part of the I-League. The Mizoram outfit were relegated in 2016, even when they did not finish last. DSK Shivajians had finished last but the AIFF regulations don’t allow corporate clubs to be relegated.
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The reinstation of Churchill now takes the number of teams in the I-League up to eight. Sources also reveal that Chennai City FC will be a new entrant to the league in 2017, giving the city its first ever I-League club. They will be the first club from Chennai in the national football fold since Indian Bank pulled out of what was then the National Football League (NFL).
Neroca FC from Imphal and Sudeva FC from Delhi are also in contention to be integrated into the I-League.
