New Delhi: The All India Football Federation’s appeals committee on Thursday put a temporary hold on its disciplinary committee’s decision to award three points and three goals to Inter Kashi against Namdhari FC for fielding an ineligible player in their I-League clash on January 13, adding more intrigue to an already tense championship fight.
Namdhari had beaten Kashi 2-0 in that match with Bhupinder Singh (13th minute) and Francis Neur Addo (85th) finding the net for the Ludhiana-based side at their home ground in Sri Bhaini Sahib.
But AIFF’s disciplinary committee awarded maximum points and a +3 goal difference from the match to Kashi after they lodged a complaint against Namdhari on account of fielding an eligible player.
The disciplinary committee considered Namdhari to forfeit the match on account of fielding an ineligible player, which wasn’t endorsed by the four-member appeals committee.
“The AIFF Disciplinary Committee has decided to dock three points of Namdhari FC for fielding an ineligible player in Match 45 of the I-League 2024-25 against Inter Kashi, played on January 13, 2025, in accordance with article 12.3.2 of the I-League 2024-25 regulations,” the disciplinary committee said on February 24.
“The said match shall result in a forfeiture (0-3 loss) for Namdhari FC in accordance with article 57 read with article 26 of the AIFF Disciplinary Code.”
Namdhari had pleaded their case to the appeals committee, which temporarily suspended that judgement, calling for another hearing on the matter on April 24, by when all rounds of matches will be complete.
“The order of Disciplinary Committee dated 24.02.2025 after the clarification by the Appellate Committee shall remain inoperative and in abeyance as well,” appeals committee chairperson Justice Rajesh Tandon said on Thursday.
“The Clarification Order dated 01.02.2025 passed by Appellate Committee shall not be given effect to and stands recalled.”
I-League title race wide open
The appeals committee judgement had resulted in a new twist in battle for the title, with leaders Churchill Brothers (38 points) now having a three point advantage over Kashi after 20 rounds.
With four rounds remaining, Thursday’s judgement means Kashi would take on Churchill on Sunday (March 30), with 35 points in hand, the same as third-placed Real Kashmir, who are a point above Gokulam Kerala.
In case of shared points, the head to head result of teams would determine who wins the championship. Churchill had beaten hosts Kashi 3-1 in the first leg clash on December 14 at Kalyani Stadium.
Namdhari are eighth with 26 points from 20 games and could improve to 29 points if three points of the Inter Kashi game are awared to them.
Kashi had beaten Namdhari 3-2 in their return leg match on March 6.
Namdhari FC were docked three points of their 2-0 win over Inter Kashi and deducted three goals from their over goals tally after being adjudged to have fielded an ineligible player by AIFF’s disciplinary committee. Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
