After repeated requests from the Indian national team coach to truncate the foreign quota for Indian clubs in the domestic leagues, the organisers have finally taken a stand. In a meeting attended by the Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL), the club stakeholders and the All India Football Federation (AIFF), it was decided that the 3+1 foreigners rule would be implemented in the Indian Super League from the eighth season of the league in 2021-22 to give more playing time to local players. The new rule allows a team to field three foreigners and a player from any AFC nation at any point of time.
“ISL has always exhibited a progressive and adaptive nature to their operations. Since 2014, ISL has improvised on many front with each year and today is yet another such example of ISL’s forward-looking statement on Indian football,” said a football administrator, as reported by The Times of India.
“The four foreigners regulation will go a long way in redefining the Indian football in the years to come. It’s a positive and welcome step which will benefit our Indian players immensely. The change will certainly open up key position for Indian players in the line-up,” added the official.
Clubs have been allowed to field five foreigners on the pitch at a time, while a total of seven players could have been registered. As per the new rule, a club will be eligible to sign just six overseas players on their roster.