PANAJI
The transfer deal of Jamshedpur FC’s Indian Super League (ISL) licence to Churchill Brothers for a token Rs 100 has moved into sharper focus, with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Lausanne formally seized of the urgent plea filed by Salcete based football fan Derick Dias.
CAS has acknowledged receipt of the plea and is weighing whether interim relief is warranted. A freeze would stall AIFF’s approval process and leave Churchill Brothers’ participation in the upcoming ISL campaign uncertain.
Dias had petitioned CAS under Article R37 of the CAS Code, seeking provisional measures to halt the deal, arguing that the nominal share purchase agreement between Tata Steel’s Jamshedpur Football & Sporting Pvt Ltd and Churchill Brothers undermines sporting merit and bypasses promotion relegation rules.
Dias' plea warns of “irreparable harm” to competitive integrity if the All India Football Federation (AIFF) ratifies the transfer before the new ISL season.
Churchill Brothers, however, have defended their entry. In a social media post, the club declared: “We had to be back where we belong. Our President Churchill Alemao never stopped believing. While some saw decline, we saw opportunity.” Meanwhile Churchill Brothers' CEO Valanka Alemao has not responded to the plea questioning their deal with Jamshedpur FC before the CAS. She however told a television news channel that the prospects of her team featuring in the upcoming ISL edition will not harm any party. “We will look at it, whatever it is. I’m sure it’s going to be the best for Indian football, and no party is going to be affected or hurt,” a national television channel quoted her as saying. Jamshedpur FC, meanwhile, has not issued any official response since Tata Steel announced its exit.
The development, nevertheless, has stirred up interest among many Goan football fans.
Ex India defender Franky Baretto, who once donned colours for the Varca-based side said he hopes this (Churchill's entry into ISL if it happens) brings cheer for Goan fans and opportunities for local players. Legal experts note that CAS rarely intervenes in Indian football disputes, making this case significant. The tribunal will assess three criteria -- likelihood of success, risk of irreparable harm, and balance of interests -- before deciding on the interim measures sought.
For Goa's football fraternity, the case before the CAS is more than a legal battle and involves strong emotions.
