The descent script for the i-League 2024–25 was torn for a moment, with Delhi FC and Sporting Club Bengalur, a temporary stay from Demotion. The Appeal Committee of the All India Football Federation (AIFF) decided to withstand descent until the challenges of both clubs have been fully heard.
The judgment offers an important rescue rope for two teams that packed the season at the bottom of the league ranking. But both sides believe that their stories are more than just paper results.
Sporting Club Bengalur challenged the legitimacy of its fall and claimed that the opponent – Jamdhari FC – handed the player in an unfit player in a key match. According to their lawyers, this violation was not adequately dealt with by the disciplinary wing of the Federation. The club also relied on constitutional reasons and claimed that the descent had unfavorable consequences and cannot be stored without robust procedural guarantees.
Meanwhile, Delhi FC focused on what they consider to be inconsistent in how AIFF applies the rules of descent. The club pointed to the previous season, where in special circumstances gave up the descent under special circumstances, it questioned the trial and justice of this year’s decision.
In response to this, AFF has decided to leave any negotiations “in non -scope” for the time being. The Rajesh Tandon retirement panel expressed concern about how quickly the original decision was taken, and asked the AIFF to submit its objections within two days.
“On behalf of the AIFF, time was sought for 2 days to give objections, but the circumstances of the case ensure that any order adopted for descending remains in carrying and will not act until the end of the appeal itself,” the order read.
The Committee added a new wrinkle to the case and also informed AIZawl FC – the team just above the Drop zone – that they can join to drive if they want it. The conversion of disciplinary decisions could also affect the status of the Aizawl League.
This fresh reversal of the descent adds to the already chaotic season I-League 2025, which recently saw Chaotic title Dispute between Churchill Brothers and Inter Kashi. Churchill was eventually declared champions and promoted to ISL, but only after the appellate committee canceled the controversial disciplinary decision, which briefly gave Kashi additional points for the problem of the player’s capacity. Given that Inter Kashi, who is now at risk of taking care of the Sport Arbitration Court, continues to attach questions about the AFF key decisions this season.
The final decision on the appeal of the descent is expected at the end of this week at the AIFF headquarters in Delhi. Regardless of the outcome, the developing saga forms as a landmark in how Indian football processes promotion, degradation – which is often considered crucial in football settings
Published:
Debodinna Chakracorty
Published on:
28. May 2025
