Former CPL Player Wins I-League Trophy, But Might Have To Give It Back

Former York United attacking midfielder Sebastian Gutierrez lifted the I-League second division trophy this week, part of a celebration that had already been postponed for two weeks after his club’s title celebrations were put on hold through a sporting dispute from title contender Inter Kashi.

Gutierrez’s club Churchill Brothers had finished the league on forty points, clinching them the title – but Inter Kashi argued it should instead claim the league instead, feeling they should be awarded three points from a match against Namdhari FC, whom they argued had fielded an ineligible player against them.

The All India Football Federation (AIFF) initially awarded Inter Kashi three points, which put them at 42 points and first-place in the league. However, Namdhari’s appeal of that decision reached as deep as the Delhi High Court. Nearly two weeks later, the appeals committee then overturned the disciplinary committee’s earlier decision, meaning Inter Kashi was not awarded the three points, and so Churchill Brothers finished on top with 40 to Inter Kashi’s 39.

Cue the trophy celebration from Churchill Brothers and Sebastian Gutierrez – except, of course, Inter Kashi then took things to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), who accepted the application. Given that things were once again up in the art, the CAS quickly put a stay on the AIFF decision to award the trophy.

In the interim, however, the Churchill Brothers quickly held their trophy celebration in Goa through sanctioning from the AIFF, despite the fact that the trophy title is once again set to be based on a court decision.

The AIFF, for its part, acknowledged that perhaps throwing a quick trophy celebration wasn’t the best move, but said they were only informed of the order after the ceremony was conducted.

“The All India Football Federation would like to clarify that, with regard to the Court of Arbitration for Sport order, due to a holiday in the AIFF secretariat, the federation was only informed of the order at a time when the ceremony had already been concluded in Goa. The AIFF remains committed to adhering to all regulatory and legal processes and will take appropriate action,” read a statement from India’s federation.

Today is the deadline the CAS gave all involved parties – the AIFF, Churchill Brothers, and Namdhari – to respond to the complaint made by Inter Kashi.

Colombian midfielder Gutierrez made 33 appearances for York United, arriving in 2021 and featuring for two seasons. He tallied three goals and one assist during his Nine Stripes era, highlighted by a dazzling goal against league rivals York United:

After York United passed on his club contract in 2023, Gutierrez returned to Colombia and featured for Valledupar and Real Cundinamarca before entering Indian football through the Churchill Brothers, who now find themselves embroiled in quite the odd trophy dispute.

While Gutierrez didn’t win any trophies during his CPL stint, we’ll have to wait and see whether India proves more fruitful.