In a damning statement, Churchill Brothers owner Churchill Alemao alleged that the I-League was rigged following a controversial draw against Sreenidi Deccan FC in the ongoing I-League 2024-25.
The strongly worded post is in retaliation to Churchill Brothers seeming to have been at the receiving end of dubious refereeing decisions and also the perception that referees were seen to favour title challengers Inter Kashi.
The latest brouhaha was due to Churchill leading in the I-League match against Sreenidi Deccan FC 1-0; a win would have helped them to a five point lead at the top of the table with two games to play while Inter Kashi had a game in hand and a total of three games to play. The referee, Crystal John, added seven minutes of extra time at the end of second half and awarded a controversial penalty in the 10th minute of extra time – Sreenidi equalised and the match ended 1-1.
The entire country is aware of my love and passion for football. I have been running my club Churchill Brothers Football Club Goa for the past four decades and maintaining it at the highest levels of the game. I have been spending crores of rupees from my own resources thereby helping to generate employment and earning opportunities for hundreds of footballers, coaches and other necessary staff from Goa, other parts of the country and also from many nations abroad.
But the manner in which football is being administered in the country is very disheartening. If you recall, sometime back I had even spoken about closing down my club. It has become so frustrating. More so of late, as it appears as though tournaments like the I-League have been rigged so that results favour one particular team. Referees’ decisions in so many games have gone against my team and other teams just to push a particular team .It looks as though certain sections of the AIFF are hell bent in ensuring that my team does not become the champions.
What transpired today in our match against Sreenidhi Deccan was simply baffling. We led 1-0 with 90 minutes having been played. The Referee Mr Crystal John, no newcomer to controversy, added seven more minutes. But even after nine minutes of added-on time was played, he did not blow the final whistle despite looking at his watch two after eight minutes had been played and the 4 th official telling our head coach that the final kick of the match was after we got the free kick.
Why should the AIFF persist with such referees and spoil the clubs and maybe the entire tournament time and again?
I request the Media to kindly look into various issues connected with the match and the I-League itself so that corrective measures are adopted. If not, I would have to once again consider withdrawing my club from the I-League.
But remember one thing when God is with us nobody can be against us and we have full faith in almighty god that nobody can take the title away from us.
Churchill Alemao,
Club President
Churchill Brothers will face Inter Kashi this coming Sunday and the clash could decide the title.
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