Real Kashmir FC face defending champions Chennai City FC in their first I-League home match of the season on Thursday in the first big sporting event in the Kashmir Valley since it became a union territory. The abrogation of Article 370 and the ensuing lockdown in the valley in August had raised security concerns, but Real Kashmir have made elaborate arrangements since then, allaying the fears of the visiting teams.
Churchill Brothers finished above Inter Kashi FC, who are second with 39 points, but the the latter could still win the title on April 28, depending on outcome of AIFF appeal.
Real Kashmir scored their first victory of the ongoing I League season with a 2-1 defeat of the defending champion Chennai City.
#TheRealKashmir celebrates the beauty of Jammu and Kashmir through the lens of football, highlighting the wave of positive change brought about by the beautiful game in the state.
Late strikes by Pintu Mahata and Sreyas V G ensured Indian Navy FT bounce back from a one-goal deficit to overcome local side TRAU FC 2-1 and book their spot in the quarterfinals of the 134th Durand Cup in Imphal on Tuesday.
Real Kashmir FC scored the game's only goal through Gnohere krizo's 74th minute strike as the debutants made a dream start to their maiden I-League campaign.
Inter Kashi become I-League champions after CAS rejects AIFF Appeal Committee decision
At a time when Indian football is seeking a radical overhaul, the Super Cup, starting in Goa from Saturday, could act as a catalyst for clubs to build their teams, prepare their players, get valuable match time, and keep their hopes of continental qualifications alive.
FC Goa on Wednesday secured a comfortable 2-0 victory over Hyderabad FC in their Indian Super League (ISL) match
The fairy tale run of Real Kashmir Football Club in the I-League continued as the club from the Valley defeated Gokulam Kerala FC by a solitary goal to jump to top of the I-League.
The I-League, the country's second-tier football competition, will be restructured and rechristened as Indian Football League (IFL).
Officials in Real Kashmir said the club is likely to file an appeal against the decision and called it 'against the laiddown norms of FIFA'.
Both Churchill Brothers and Inter Kashi celebrated after their respective matches on Sunday.
In their first I-League clash in over a decade, Churchill Brothers defeated their Goan rivals Dempo Sports Club 2-0 at the Raia Stadium on Wednesday.
The season-opening Super Cup will kick off from October 25 in Goa, an official of the All India Football Federation (AIFF) said on Tuesday.
Real Kashmir FC made their I-League debut last season and had mixed results, winning three of their six fixtures in the preliminary round.
'It won't affect our performance on the pitch. We are just concentrating on tomorrow's match'
The first club from Jammu and Kashmir to qualify for the I-League is slowly building up
The club said it had not received the assurances it had sought as far as security of its players are concerned
A stoppage-time goal by Ishan Pandita helped FC Goa pull off a thrilling 3-3 draw against Mumbai City FC
East Bengal edge past NEUFC 1-0 to register first win of ISL season
'But again, do we have a choice? Absolutely not. The entire world does not have a choice. Everyone has to deal with patience. It is a global issue so the awareness is global, too.'
Inter Kashi filed an appeal at the Switzerland-based CAS on April 24 against the decision of the AIFF appeals committee and the world's apex sports tribunal ruled in favour of the club on Tuesday.
Real Kashmir FC, on Tuesday, became the first football club from Jammu and Kashmir to qualify for the country's top tier I-League
Bagan now have 14 points from seven games while Punjab move a place up to second with 11 points from eight.
A goal on either side of the break powered Real Kashmir to a 2-0 win over Indian Arrows in the I-League, in Margao, on Sunday.
Now AIFF's move to hand the trophy to Churchill Brother, just hours after the CAS order staying the federation's decision to declare the club as champions, could provoke international scrutiny, including from FIFA.
Summary of sports events and persons who made news on Monday
Scotsman David Robertson, who guided Real Kashmir FC to the top-flight of Indian football in an extraordinary season, says "isolation" is coming in the way of the valley's talented players getting recognition.
All the results from the I-League and ISL matches played on Sunday
Real Kashmir FC co-owner Sandeep Chattoo, on Friday, said his side is now on a mission to make the 'paradise on earth' a paradise for the beautiful game.
Churchill Brothers have withdrawn from the Super Cup tournament starting April 20 in Bhubaneswar, protesting against the All India Football Federation's decision to not officially declare them as 2024-25 I-League champions
The Chinese see no need to fight directly. They have an able and willing proxy in Pakistan, points out Shekhar Gupta.
NorthEast United got the better of Mumbai City yet again, doing a double over the Islanders with a 2-1 win in the Hero Indian Super League
Real Kashmir Football Club (RKFC) has presented its fans in the union territory the perfect Daughter's Day gift by announcing the formation of an all-women's team, which will compete in national tournaments.
NorthEast United inched closer to a playoffs berth with a 2-1 win over 10-man SC East Bengal in the ISL
The AIFF has referred the Minerva issue to its League Committee and maintained silence on East Bengal's concerns.
All the results from the I-League and ISL matches played on Saturday
Five players and three team officials from Real Kashmir FC, one player each from Mohammedan Sporting, debutants Sreenidi Deccan FC and Aizawl FC returned positive in the tests, conducted in Kolkata, on Tuesday.
Juventus and Inter, who have 42 points each from 17 games, both play on Monday while Lazio, with 39 from 17, have an outstanding fixture at home to Verona to come in early February.
© 2026 Rediff.com - Advertise with us - Disclaimer - Privacy Policy - Sitemap - Feedback - About us - Terms of use - Grievances