The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has slammed its executive committee member Valanka Alemao accusing her and her family of exerting ‘constant pressure’ on the apex body to include Churchill Brothers FC in the Indian Super League (ISL).
Valanka is the CEO of the Goa-based club, which has been owned and led for decades by entrepreneur and politician Churchill Alemao, who served as president of the Goa Football Association and chief minister of the state.
Churchill Brothers claimed they won the second-tier I-League title in the 2024-25 season, but a Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) decision awarded the ISL title and promotion to Inter Kashi due to a points dispute.
Valanka had accused AIFF chief Kalyan Chaubey and other officials of ‘bullying’, something the football governing body denied.
“The All India Football Federation categorically rejects the recent allegations made by the Executive Committee Ms. Valanka Alemao and wishes to place certain facts on record in the interest of transparency and clarity.
“Between January 8, 2026 and February 15, 2026, Mrs. Alemao and her family members exerted continuous pressure on the AIFF to facilitate the inclusion of Churchill Brothers FC Goa in the ISL by extraordinary means,” the AIFF said in a statement.
“However, the federation was unable to accommodate this request due to existing rules, regulations and commitments made to stakeholders.”
The AIFF has largely rejected Churchill Brothers’ inclusion in the 2025-26 ISL despite lobbying by the club. Even ISL clubs opposed the move based on lack of merit-based qualifications and logistical issues.
The AIFF further said in its statement: “On January 6, 2026, in the presence of all stakeholders, it was announced that the next ISL season will consist of 14 teams and 91 matches in a truncated format. Based on this structure, the AIFF subsequently obtained the required approval from the Asian Football Confederation.”
The I-League regulations clearly stipulate that the winner of the season wins promotion to the ISL. In accordance with the CAS decision, the winners of the season are Inter Kashi, and to stay in compliance with the applicable regulations and legal obligations, the AIFF cannot include Churchill Brothers in the ISL.
“Following this, several legal petitions were filed by Ms. Alemao’s family members. Despite being a member of the AIFF Executive Committee, Ms. Alemao repeatedly tried to influence proceedings during official meetings with the objective of securing her club’s inclusion in the ISL.
“Ms. Alemao also pushed hard for the convening of an Emergency Executive Committee meeting on the matter. In response to this request, the AIFF scheduled an Emergency Executive Committee meeting on February 9, 2026.
“Well, the meeting could not continue as the required quorum was not met due to the non-participation of the members.
“Ms. Alemao then contacted the members of the Executive Committee individually and asked to call another meeting of the Emergency Executive Committee on February 12, 2026.
“The meeting was held with full attendance and after due discussion, the Executive Committee rejected the proposal to include the Churchill Brothers in the ISL.”
(With data from agencies)
