In a surprising turn of events, Delhi FC and Sporting Club Bengaluru have been granted a temporary reprieve from relegation by the All India Football Federation (AIFF) Appeal Committee. This decision comes as the two clubs continue to contest their demotions from the 2024-25 I-League season, following their finishes among the bottom two teams in the 12-club competition.

The AIFF’s Appeal Committee, which is led by Justice (Retd.) Rajesh Tandon, along with members Ashok K Tripathi and Priyanka Mishra, issued interim orders on May 24, placing the relegation actions “in abeyance” until the final hearing. According to the orders, any decision to enforce relegation will not take effect until after the appeal process is concluded. This holds particular weight given the significant consequences of relegation, which is regarded as a penal measure under the Indian Constitution’s Article 19.

Meanwhile, Sporting Club Bengaluru has raised concerns about the eligibility of players fielded by Namdhari FC during the season, specifically citing an instance where an “ineligible player” may have been fielded in a match. The club’s legal team argues that this breach entitles them to three points, potentially shifting the league standings and altering their position. They also claim that the AIFF Disciplinary Committee overlooked key provisions in its decision-making process.

On the other hand, Delhi FC has called into question the reasoning behind their relegation. Their appeal highlights discrepancies with past AIFF precedents where relegation had been waived. Additionally, their legal counsel has stated that relegation imposes penal consequences, which, they argue, violates constitutional protections afforded to them.

In light of these serious issues, the Appeal Committee noted that the AIFF Disciplinary Committee may have overlooked key aspects of both clubs’ relegation processes. The Committee has ordered that copies of the appeals be sent to Aizawl FC, allowing them to potentially join the proceedings if they wish.

The standings from the recently concluded I-League show that Sporting Club Bengaluru, with 21 points, and Delhi FC, with 14 points, finished in the bottom two positions, 11th and 12th respectively. However, the outcome of these appeals could have a significant impact on the league’s final rankings.

The next hearing for these appeals is set to take place on Thursday at the AIFF office in New Delhi. With these proceedings still ongoing, the fate of both clubs remains uncertain, leaving their supporters anxiously awaiting a final resolution.