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Inter Kashi FC

Inter Kashi Football Club is an Indian professional association club based in , , founded in 2023 as the first national-level team from the state. Competing in the , India's second-tier league, the club secured the 2024–25 championship and promotion to the following a ruling by the in a legal dispute with the over league standings. This milestone highlights Inter Kashi's rapid ascent and its role in elevating in , a region historically underrepresented at the elite level of the sport.

History

Founding and entry into professional leagues

Inter Kashi FC was established on 29 June 2023 by the Kolkata-based RDB Group of Companies via its subsidiary Avimukta Sports Private Limited, becoming the first professional club headquartered in , . The founding aimed to introduce competitive professional to the state, which previously lacked representation in national leagues, with operations centered at facilities in Varanasi to foster local talent development. To support its professional ambitions, Inter Kashi secured collaboration agreements with three European clubs: from , , and Inter Escaldes from . These partnerships focus on sharing technical knowledge, coaching staff exchanges, and youth development methodologies, providing the club with access to advanced training systems and scouting networks. The club gained entry into India's professional leagues through direct approval by the (AIFF) for the 2023–24 season, the country's second-tier competition, as one of several new corporate entrants selected via bidding processes to expand the league's participation. This bypass of lower divisions like was enabled by the club's fulfillment of AIFF's licensing criteria, including and commitments, despite its recent formation.

Performance in I-League 2 and promotion

Inter Kashi FC did not compete in the , the third tier of Indian , prior to its professional debut. Founded on June 29, 2023, through a collaboration between the RDB Group and European clubs Atlético de Madrid, , and Inter Escaldes, the club secured direct entry into the for the 2023–24 season as an . This bypass of lower divisions was facilitated by the All India Football Federation's (AIFF) approval of new franchises to bolster the league's competitiveness and regional representation, marking Uttar Pradesh's first national-level club. The club's entry aligned with the AIFF's efforts to expand the amid structural reforms, including partnerships that brought technical expertise from affiliates. Inter Kashi's debut match occurred on October 28, 2023, against , where Edmund Lalrindika scored the team's inaugural goal in a 1–1 draw. This direct to the second tier positioned Inter Kashi to compete immediately against established sides, leveraging international collaborations for player development and coaching without the need for I-League 2 qualification.

I-League campaigns leading to 2024–25

Inter Kashi FC entered the I-League for the 2023–24 season following promotion from I-League 2. The club competed in all 24 matches of the league, securing a fourth-place finish with 11 wins, 8 draws, and 5 losses, totaling 41 points. Their home record stood at 6 wins, 4 draws, and 2 losses (22 points), while away performances yielded 5 wins, 4 draws, and 3 losses (19 points). This debut campaign positioned them behind champions Mohammedan SC, runners-up Sreenidi Deccan FC, and third-placed FC Goa reserves (Gokulam Kerala FC in some standings references, reflecting league nomenclature variations). The season highlighted Inter Kashi's competitive edge in a 13-team field, with consistent mid-table to upper-table results avoiding relegation threats while falling short of promotion contention. Key contributions came from a balanced squad, though specific goal tallies and player impacts underscored defensive solidity over prolific scoring, aligning with the club's transitional phase post-promotion. No major disciplinary or administrative disruptions marred their inaugural top-tier effort, setting a for intensified ambitions in the subsequent –25 campaign amid evolving promotion dynamics under AIFF oversight. The 2024–25 season commenced on 22 November 2024 and concluded on 6 April 2025, featuring 13 teams in a format with Inter Kashi FC among the participants. Inter Kashi, in their second season at the top tier following , topped the on-field points table, securing the highest number of points through competitive results that positioned them ahead of rivals including and Churchill Brothers. However, the title was contested due to a player registration dispute initiated by in April 2025, alleging that Inter Kashi violated regulations articles 6.5.6 and 6.5.7 by fielding the foreign player Marco Barco without proper documentation compliance. The (AIFF) Disciplinary Committee initially ruled against Inter Kashi, imposing a 3-0 forfeiture in the disputed match and deducting points, which temporarily altered the standings and jeopardized their championship claim. Inter Kashi appealed to the AIFF Appeals Committee, which partially reinstated the original result but upheld elements of the penalty, maintaining uncertainty over the title. Escalating the matter, Inter Kashi filed for arbitration at the () in , arguing that no binding rule breach occurred warranting deduction, as Barco's registration followed AIFF-approved procedures at the time of play. On 18 July 2025, issued its verdict, overturning the AIFF Appeals Committee's decision and ruling that Inter Kashi had not violated regulations in a manner justifying sanctions, thereby reinstating their full points from the match and declaring them the official 2024–25 champions. The arbitration body instructed the AIFF to revise the final standings accordingly, confirming Inter Kashi's promotion to the () for the 2025–26 season as the league's top finisher. The AIFF formally acknowledged the outcome on 8 October 2025, resolving the prolonged legal standoff and affirming Inter Kashi's eligibility for ISL entry, though the process highlighted procedural inconsistencies in AIFF's initial handling of registration verifications.

Controversies

2024–25 player eligibility dispute and appeals process

In April 2025, lodged a complaint with the (AIFF) alleging that Inter Kashi FC had fielded an ineligible foreign player, Mario Barco, in violation of regulations. The dispute centered on Barco's reinstatement after being replaced earlier in the season; specifically, Barco had been substituted out on matchday 9 by Matija Babović, but was re-registered on matchday 15 following the termination of Juan Pérez del Pino's contract on February 1, 2025, which Namdhari claimed exceeded the limit of six foreign players under Article 6.5.6 and contravened Article 6.5.7 prohibiting the reinstatement of a previously replaced foreign player. On May 31, 2025, the AIFF Appeals Committee upheld complaints from , , and Churchill Brothers FC, declaring Barco ineligible and ordering the forfeiture of all Inter Kashi matches in which he participated after his return from injury. This decision deducted points from Inter Kashi, dropping them to fourth place with 35 points and elevating Churchill Brothers to first with 42 points, provisionally crowning the latter as champions. Inter Kashi FC filed an appeal with the (CAS) on June 23, 2025, challenging the AIFF's ruling. A hearing was conducted in on July 15, 2025, during which CAS examined the AIFF's interpretation of the registration rules and found the federation's arguments unpersuasive. On July 18, 2025, CAS set aside the May 31 decision, reinstated Inter Kashi's original points tally of 42, and directed the AIFF to revise the table accordingly, confirming Inter Kashi as the 2024–25 champions ahead of Churchill Brothers (40 points) and Real Kashmir (37 points). This marked the first instance globally where a CAS ruling altered a domestic winner post-season.

Implications for league integrity and AIFF governance

The repeated overturning of AIFF decisions by the () in the Inter Kashi FC eligibility disputes underscored significant procedural lapses in the federation's disciplinary and appeals mechanisms. On June 17, 2025, upheld Inter Kashi's appeal regarding FC's ineligible player Cledson Carvalho da Silva, reinstating a 3-0 forfeiture win for Inter Kashi and criticizing the AIFF Appeals Committee's reversal of the initial Disciplinary Committee ruling as lacking evidential basis. Subsequently, on July 18, 2025, nullified the AIFF's May 31, 2025, points deduction against Inter Kashi for the registration of foreign player Mario Barco, ruling that no binding rule violation warranted the penalty and ordering revised standings that crowned Inter Kashi champions. These rulings imposed financial burdens on the AIFF, including 55% of arbitration costs, and highlighted inconsistent application of International Transfer Certificate (ITC) verification protocols. The saga eroded perceptions of I-League integrity, as championship outcomes remained provisional for months amid cascading appeals, fostering uncertainty for clubs, fans, and promotion stakes to the (). Initially, Churchill Brothers were declared provisional winners on May 31, 2025, following Inter Kashi's deduction, only for to retroactively award Inter Kashi the title and ISL eligibility on July 18, 2025. This volatility prompted six I-League clubs to publicly question officiating and administrative reliability in April 2025, citing broader enforcement gaps that could incentivize post-match disputes over on-field results. Legal experts noted that such reliance on external , rather than robust internal resolution, signals deficiencies in AIFF's rule clarity and evidence-handling, potentially deterring investor confidence in a league already overshadowed by the ISL. AIFF governance faced intensified scrutiny, with the federation's leadership under President criticized for decisions that deemed procedurally unfair, exacerbating a pattern of judicial interventions in Indian disputes. The requirement to implement directives, including title revocation from Churchill Brothers, exposed internal discord between disciplinary bodies and appeals processes, while ongoing litigation—such as Churchill Brothers' September 2025 petition alleging Inter Kashi's stadium non-compliance—further prolonged resolution and strained resources. Analysts argue this episode exemplifies systemic challenges, including opaque player registration oversight and delayed appeals timelines, which undermine competitive equity and necessitate reforms like standardized ITC audits and expedited internal to restore autonomy from international tribunals.

Women's and youth development

Inter Kashi FC (women)

Inter Kashi FC (women), nicknamed The Visalakshis, represents the women's section of the Varanasi-based club and entered competitive football in 2025. The squad was officially announced on March 8, 2025, during , as the club's inaugural professional women's team aimed at promoting female participation in football. The team debuted in the 2024–25 (IWL 2), the national second-division competition organized by the (AIFF). Competing among 16 teams, Inter Kashi participated in the group stage format, with matches held at various venues including the Padukone-Dravid Centre for Sports Excellence. Key results from the season included a 5–0 win against CASA Barwani Soccer Club on April 2, 2025, featuring goals from Anchal Patel, Naorem Henarita Devi (two), Alisha Lyngdoh, and Vaani. They suffered a 1–0 defeat to Women Juniors on April 4, 2025, and a 4–3 loss to Pudhuvai Unicorns in another fixture. These outcomes reflect the team's competitive integration into the league amid broader challenges in Indian women's football development.

Junior sections (U-17 and U-13)

Inter Kashi FC maintains junior sections for under-17 and under-13 age groups as part of its youth development initiatives, participating in national-level competitions organized by the (AIFF). These teams compete in the AIFF U-17 Elite Youth League and the Sub Junior Youth League, respectively, with a focus on player scouting through residential academy trials conducted across regions like and . The U-17 team entered the 2024–25 AIFF U-17 Elite Youth League, contesting 10 matches in the league phase with a record of 1 win, 2 draws, and 6 losses, placing fifth in their group and failing to advance to the final rounds. Notable results included a 2–2 draw against an unspecified opponent on February 12, 2025, and a 1–3 home defeat to on March 23, 2025, at Sigra Stadium in . The squad draws players from the club's residential , which integrates training with education and nutrition to support holistic development. The U-13 section debuted in the 2024–25 Sub Junior Youth League, playing home matches at neutral venues such as Aghornath Park Stadium in Kalna, . The team faced early challenges, including a heavy defeat to U-13 on April 1, 2025. Like the U-17 group, U-13 players are recruited via pan-India trials for the residential academy, emphasizing grassroots talent identification in and beyond. As of August 2025, the academy housed players across junior categories, including U-13, underscoring the club's investment in early-age infrastructure despite limited competitive success to date.

Atlético de Bharat Academy

The Atlético de Bharat Academy serves as Inter Kashi FC's primary youth development program, focusing on grassroots cultivation in . Established through a strategic partnership with Club Atlético de Madrid and the RDB Group of Companies, the academy was announced on June 29, 2023, as part of the club's launch to create the state's first national-level professional entity based in . The initiative draws on Atlético Madrid's expertise in player training methodologies to build a sustainable talent pipeline, emphasizing long-term investment over short-term results. Operated as a residential academy, it targets young players through nationwide scouting and selection processes, including open trials to identify promising talents for structured coaching and residential training. By 2023, plans were in place for trial-based enrollment, with the envisioned to produce homegrown players capable of progressing to the senior team within a five-year horizon. As recently as July 2025, Inter Kashi conducted regional trials, such as in , to scout and recruit participants for the residential program, underscoring ongoing efforts to expand access across . The academy's structure integrates Atlético Madrid's global football philosophy, including technical training and competitive exposure, to address the historical lack of infrastructure in the region. While still in its early stages, it represents Atlético Madrid's return to structured involvement in Indian league beyond prior non-league efforts, prioritizing empirical talent identification over rapid promotion. No major competitive achievements have been recorded as of October 2025, reflecting its foundational focus on foundational skill-building rather than immediate results.

Club identity

Crest and colors

The crest of Inter Kashi FC was introduced on June 29, 2023, featuring a black shield bisected by three horizontal white stripes overlaying a yellow cityscape silhouette at the base. The design draws from local iconography of Varanasi, with the stripes evoking the stepped ghats along the Ganges River and the cityscape representing the historic skyline of temples and architecture. Inter Kashi FC's primary colors are and , supplemented by accents. These hues are incorporated into the club's and branding, where symbolizes the sunsets over the and conveys strength and heritage tied to Varanasi's spiritual depth. The color palette was launched for the 2023–24 season and has remained consistent, appearing in home kits with bases accented by and elements.

Kit manufacturers and sponsors

Inter Kashi FC's kits were manufactured by SIX5SIX for the inaugural season. The club switched to Hummel as kit supplier starting from the 2024–25 season, with the new home kit featuring a design inspired by the club's partnership with and incorporating traditional elements. Hummel continued to produce the away and third kits for that campaign, including a third kit launched on January 12, 2025, themed around the with motifs of cultural reverence and spiritual essence. The primary shirt sponsor for 2023–24 was Cello, a stationery and consumer goods company. This was replaced by UCO Bank, a public-sector financial institution, as the main sponsor for the 2024–25 season, with the bank's logo prominently displayed on the front of jerseys following a deal announced on July 16, 2024. Uttar Pradesh Tourism has maintained an association as a principal or co-sponsor across seasons, reflecting the club's roots in Varanasi. Additional kit placements in 2024–25 included beverage brand FlyUp on the shoulders and RRP S4E on the back of shirts. No confirmed changes to the kit manufacturer or primary sponsor have been announced for the 2025–26 Indian Super League season following the club's promotion.
SeasonKit ManufacturerShirt Sponsor (Primary)
2023–24SIX5SIX
2024–25Hummel

Squad and personnel

First-team squad

As of October 2025, Inter Kashi FC's first-team squad for the 2025–26 season comprises 21 registered players, including two foreign nationals and a mix of experienced Indian professionals and younger talents primarily from domestic leagues. The squad features recent free-transfer additions such as defender (signed until May 2026) and full-back Wayne Vaz, bolstering defensive options ahead of and cup competitions. Forward retains the captaincy from prior seasons.
No.Pos.PlayerAgeNation.
Goalkeepers
1GKShubham Dhas27IND
29GKArindam Bhattacharya35IND
21GKMohit Singh Dhami21IND
Defenders
2DFWayne Vaz31IND
17DFAnil Chawan26IND
5DFDeepak Devrani32IND
12DFAshray Bhardwaj24IND
16DFSandip Mandi23IND
3DFAritra Das22IND
24DFKojam Beyong22IND
27DFPrabir Das31IND
Midfielders
14MFKarthik Panicker22IND
8MFPhijam Vikash Singh22IND
15MFSweden Fernandes25IND
6MFHaobam Tomba Singh21IND
Forwards
23FWAshish Jha26IND
19FWChirag Bhujel21IND
FWMario Barco32ESP
FWMatija Babovic26SRB
25FWSumeet Passi (captain)31IND
7FWHarmanpreet Singh24IND
All player details verified from aggregated transfer and squad data as of late October 2025.

Players out on loan

As of October 2025, Inter Kashi FC has no first-team players currently loaned out to other clubs. The club's outgoing loan activity has been limited in recent seasons, with no active deals recorded for the 2024–25 or 2025–26 campaigns across major transfer databases.

Coaching and management staff

The management team of Inter Kashi FC includes chairman Vinod Dugar, co-promoter of the RDB Group of Companies, who oversees the club's strategic direction and has driven its rapid growth since inception. The president is Prithijit Das, responsible for operational leadership and key administrative decisions, including appeals to governing bodies. The coaching staff comprises:
RoleNameNationalityAgeAppointment Date
Head coachAntonio López Habas6825 July 2024
Assistant coachArata Izumi4327 July 2023
Assistant coachCarlos Fonseca444 August 2024
Fitness coachAlberto Santana3225 July 2024
López Habas, previously successful in the with multiple titles, was recruited to elevate the team's tactical framework and player development pathways. The assistant coaches contribute specialized expertise in tactics and local adaptation, while the fitness coach focuses on conditioning protocols.

Coaching history

Head coaches

Carlos Santamarina, a Spanish coach, was appointed as the inaugural head coach of Inter Kashi FC on July 7, 2023, leading the team through the 2023–24 I-League season where they finished fourth. His tenure ended on May 31, 2024, after 26 matches with an average of 1.50 points per game. Arata Izumi, an Indian coach and former assistant, served as interim from July 7, 2024, overseeing preparations and the club's participation in the 2024 . Antonio López Habas, a Spanish coach with prior success in the including two ISL Cup titles, was appointed on July 25, 2024. He guided the team to the 2024–25 I-League championship, securing promotion to the ISL, across 21 matches with 1.71 points per game.
No.NameNationalityTenureMatchesP/G
1Carlos SantamarinaJul 7, 2023 – May 31, 2024261.50
Arata Izumi (interim)Jul 7 – Jul 25, 2024
2Antonio López HabasJul 25, 2024 – present211.71

Club captains

Sumeet Passi, an Indian forward born on September 12, 1994, has been the club of Inter Kashi FC since joining the team ahead of its inaugural season. As , Passi has provided in the club's debut campaign and subsequent push, including captaining the side in the 2024–25 I-League season where Inter Kashi clinched the title and earned elevation to the . His role extends to motivational duties, such as delivering messages to academy prospects and post-match reflections on team performances. No prior club captains are recorded, reflecting Inter Kashi's establishment as a professional entity in 2023 under owner Vinod Dugar. Nikola Stojanović serves as vice-captain, supporting Passi in on-field responsibilities during the 2025–26 season.

Records and statistics

League and competition performance

Inter Kashi FC entered the , India's second-tier professional league, for the 2023–24 season, marking its debut in competitive senior . The club finished fourth in the 13-team standings, behind champions Mohammedan Sporting, , and . In the 2024–25 season, Inter Kashi accumulated sufficient points to top the table ahead of Churchill Brothers FC, but initial disputes led the (AIFF) to withhold official recognition. Following an appeal, the () ruled in July 2025 to overturn the AIFF's decision, declaring Inter Kashi the champions based on on-field merit and awarding promotion to the () for the 2025–26 season, subject to financial and technical compliance, which the club met.
SeasonLeaguePositionNotes
2023–24I-League4thDebut season; qualified for Super Cup
2024–25I-League1stChampions via CAS ruling; promoted to ISL
The club has participated in national cup competitions, including the Durand Cup and AIFF Super Cup, primarily qualifying via I-League performance. In the 2024–25 Super Cup, Inter Kashi exited in the group stage, including a 0–1 loss to Mumbai City FC. Specific Durand Cup results include group-stage involvement without advancing to knockout rounds in recent editions. As of October 2025, in the 2025–26 Super Cup, the club drew 2–2 against Durand Cup holders NorthEast United FC in its group opener. No major cup titles have been secured.

Top goalscorers

Mario Barco holds the distinction of being Inter Kashi FC's all-time leading goalscorer across competitive matches. Nikola Stojanović ranks second with 9 goals in 22 appearances during the 2024–25 season, including 2 from penalties. Edmund Lalrindika follows with 5 goals for the club.
RankPlayerNationalityGoals
1Mario Barco
2Nikola Stojanović9
3Edmund Lalrindika5
4Domi Berlanga6
Data reflects goals in all competitions as tracked by sports databases; exact totals for early leaders like Barco derive from aggregated seasonal performances prior to Stojanović's tenure. The club's limited history since its founding limits the list to players from two primary campaigns before promotion considerations.

Attendance and financial metrics

Inter Kashi FC has experienced consistently low attendance in its inaugural seasons in the , reflecting the broader challenges faced by second-tier Indian clubs in attracting crowds. In the 2023–24 season, the average attendance across home matches was reported as 170 spectators. Individual games have drawn even smaller numbers, such as 115 for the 3–1 victory over Sreenidi Deccan on December 20, 2024, and 279 for a match against . Financial metrics for the club remain limited in public disclosure, typical for emerging professional outfits in India's domestic leagues. The squad's total is estimated at €1.67 million as of recent assessments. Transfer activities have yielded a net positive balance of €175,000, primarily from the sale of player Edmund Lalrindika to SC East Bengal, with no significant incoming fees recorded. Operational budgets for clubs like Inter Kashi are approximated at around ₹17.5 annually, largely supported by ownership investments rather than gate receipts or broadcasting revenues.

Achievements and honours

Domestic titles

Inter Kashi FC secured its inaugural domestic title as champions of the I-League, India's second-tier professional football league, for the 2024–25 season. The declaration came on July 18, 2025, via a ruling from the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), which overturned a points deduction imposed by the All India Football Federation (AIFF) over a player registration dispute involving Spanish striker Asier Garro. The CAS ordered the AIFF to reinstate three points forfeited from a match against Namdhari FC and recognize Inter Kashi as league winners, displacing initial standings leader Churchill Brothers. This victory marked the club's first season in the following promotion from , where they had competed without prior senior titles. The AIFF formally acknowledged the decision on October 8, 2025, confirming Inter Kashi's promotion to the (ISL) as league champions, entitling them to entry into India's top division for the 2025–26 campaign. No other domestic cups or championships, such as the or Federation Cup, have been won by the club as of October 2025.

Other accomplishments

Inter Kashi FC became the first professional football club from Uttar Pradesh to compete in a national league, debuting in the I-League during the 2023–24 season. This milestone represented a significant step for football development in the state, previously underrepresented at the professional level. On October 8, 2024, the club launched its women's team, marking the first such professional outfit from to enter a national-level women's . The team competed in its debut season in , emphasizing foundational growth with emerging talent rather than immediate competitive results. Inter Kashi established its official youth academy on March 25, 2025, prioritizing the identification and training of regional prospects to support long-term player development. The initiative includes residential scholarships for selected players, aiming to integrate efforts with the senior setup.

Notable players

Affiliated clubs and partnerships

Inter Kashi FC was established through a collaboration between the RDB Group of Companies and European clubs , Inter Escaldes, and , announced on June 29, 2023. This partnership framework supports technical development, player exchanges, and knowledge sharing to elevate the club's professional standards in Indian football. Atlético Madrid formalized its involvement via an agreement with RDB Group to aid in creating India's first national-level football club based in Varanasi, focusing on infrastructure, coaching methodologies, and youth academy integration. Inter Escaldes, an Andorran club under common ownership with Inter Kashi via RDB Group, functions as a sister entity, enabling cross-club synergies in scouting and competitive preparation. FC Andorra's association contributes to strategic advisory roles, though specific operational details remain tied to the initial launch objectives rather than ongoing feeder system arrangements. No additional domestic or international affiliations beyond these have been publicly detailed as of October 2025.