I-League: Nepal referees to officiate key Churchill vs Kashi clash on Sunday

Panaji: The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has invited referees from the All Nepal Football Association to officiate the potential I-League title decider between Churchill Brothers FC and Inter Kashi at the Panchayat ground in Raia on Sunday.
The AIFF has sought the services of three officials from Nepal which includes referee Prajwol Chhetri, Mani Ram Thapa Magar (assistant referee) and Sahadev Shreshta (assistant referee).
This is the first time that foreign referees will officiate I-League matches.
It is not surprising, though, as Churchill and Kashi are locked in a fierce battle for the title. Churchill lead the table with 38 points while Kashi are a close second on 35. There is also the small matter of an order from the AIFF appeals committee that stayed the disciplinary committee’s decision of awarding three points to Kashi after Namdhari FC were found to have fielded an ineligible player in their 2-0 home win.
Kashi said that they were shocked by the stay decision and added they not received any official communication from the AIFF or the League regarding the matter.
“It is deeply surprising that such a critical decision would reportedly be put up for discussion on April 28, a full three weeks after the league concludes on April 6, raising serious questions about procedural integrity, timing and causing serious threats to the integrity and credibility of the competition,” the club said in a statement on Friday.
“Inter Kashi have already written to the AIFF seeking immediate clarification and expects transparency and prompt action from the federation. The club will not hesitate to explore all legal avenues necessary to protect its interests once official intimation is received,” the club added.

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