Inter Kashi is eighth in the ISL table. (Image: AIFF) New Delhi: Antonio Habas used strong words after Inter Kashi lost 0-3 to Punjab FC in the Indian Super League (ISL) on 20 April. Inter manager Kashi congratulated Punjab FC after a strong show with goals from Samir Zeljkovic, Effiong Nsungusi Jr. and Bede Osuji. But his comments about his own team raised eyebrows.“I want to congratulate Punjab FC but I don’t want to talk about the match because Inter Kashi is in a very, very complicated situation with a lot of problems in the club. I don’t want to talk about the match,” said Habas.
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ISL Full Highlights: Punjab FC vs Inter Kashi April 20 “We need to discuss the situation of players and staff with the club owner as it is impossible to compete in the ISL. This is my answer today.”“I am very, very sad about this situation. We have fought 100% since last season and now it is possible that players and staff will not get their salaries. This is impossible,” he continued.An Inter Kashi insider clarified to TimesofIndia.com that there are no financial problems at the club. Another agent informed us that he had no information on the matter.A club source suggested that the issue Habas is pointing to could be their ongoing legal tussle with Churchill Brothers. In the process, Inter Kashi and Churchill Brothers approached the All India Football Federation (AIFF), the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) and now the Delhi High Court.
Antonio Beans. (ISL photo)
The two clubs found themselves locked in a legal battle over last year’s I-League title. After Churchill was crowned champion and literally handed over the trophy, the title was awarded to Inter Kashi after a disciplinary hearing. The CAS ruled in favor of Inter Kashi and the club was promoted to the ISL.However, Churchill tried to gain entry only after the start of the ISL season, but their efforts were unsuccessful. The club also decided against playing in the second division (now called the Indian Football League).On 31 March, the AIFF accused Churchill Brothers executive committee member and CEO Valanka Alemao of exerting “sustained pressure” to facilitate their inclusion in the ISL.The statement came on a day Valanka accused AIFF president Kalyan Chaubey, vice-president NA Haris and deputy general secretary M Satyanarayan of intimidation and harassment during an executive committee meeting.Meanwhile, Inter Kashi’s first season in the ISL was, as expected, a challenge. It took them until the third game to get their first win of the season and a loss to Punjab halted their two-match winning streak.They are eighth in the ISL points table with 11 points after nine matches played and they have won three. Their next game is against NorthEast United FC on May 2.
