AIFF reduces foreign player quota; abolishes Asian player rule

Effective from the 2019-20 season of the I-League, the foreign player registration will be reduced to a maximum of five.

The AIFF decided to decrease the maximum number of foreign player in an I-league team to a maximum of five.

Foreign players from Asia will not be considered among an I-League club's roster of foreign players from the next domestic season, the All India Football Federation (AIFF) said Wednesday, while putting the cap on number of overseas stars to five.

This was decided at the AIFF’s League Committee meeting, which was chaired by senior vice president Subrata Dutta.

“Regarding the foreign player rule, the committee decided to keep the regulations same as last year and abolish the rules governing the Asian player quota. Teams can now sign any six foreign players without signing any Asian quota player in the 2018-19 season,” the AIFF said in a release.

“However, from 2019-20 season of the I-League the foreign player registration will be reduced to a maximum of five,” it added.

According to earlier regulations, it was mandatory for I league clubs to include an Asian among the foreign players.

The committee met at the AIFF headquarters here to discuss matters concerning the I-League, AIFF Youth Leagues and the 2nd Division League.

The committee proposed to start the I-League in the third week of October and to send a circular to all I-League clubs, regarding basic infrastructure requirements for live telecast of matches. The individual clubs will have to get the infrastructure of the venue ready by mid September as per the circular.

It was also stated, that the Hero I-League will continue during the AFC Asian Cup, but matches will not be held on dates that India play.

The committee announced that the AIFF will pay Rs 45 lakh as subsidy to I-League teams for participation.

“Regarding the AIFF Youth Leagues, the committee was apprised about the suggestions of the Special Committee meeting held in Mumbai on June 07, 2018 regarding age verification of players in the U-13 and U-15 Youth League category.

“The AIFF League Committee agreed to the suggestions made by the Special Committee, suggested preparation of entire protocol document, and place it to appropriate committee of AIFF for necessary approval,” the federation said in the release.

The committee decided to not approve multiple teams with the same owners to play in the AIFF Youth Leagues with the exception of Sports Authority of India (SAI) teams.