New Delhi, Feb. 27 -- The ongoing controversy surrounding Goa-based Churchill Brothers FC Goa has reignited one of Indian football's oldest debates: whether championships should be decided purely by sporting performance or shaped by administrative and governance decisions.
At the heart of the dispute lies the 2024-25 I-League season controversy involving Spanish striker Mario Barco, which Churchill Brothers have framed as a fight for competitive integrity rather than a simple title challenge.
The controversy began when Inter Kashi FC initially de-registered Barco, citing injury, allowing them to replace him with another foreign player under league rules. However, Barco later travelled to Spain for treatment and reportedly recovered quickl...