I-League to have 5 foreigners in the squad for the 2017-18 season

THE I-LEAGUE WILL SEE an increase in the number of foreign players in its squads, but the numbers are not going to be as high as ISL.

3 of the I-League clubs - East Bengal, Mohun Bagan and Churchill Brothers - put forth a suggestion to increase the number of foreigners in I-League clubs to 8 in the squad and 5 on the field; the same as ISL. The proposal received strong opposition from clubs like Minerva Punjab, Chennai City, Shillong Lajong and champions Aizawl FC who want the number of foreigners to stay at the AFC-prescribed limit of 4.

The proposal was forwarded to the AIFF Executive Committee and reports have emerged that the Federation will implement a middle path. The top division will see the number of players go up from 4 to 5 (including one player from one of the countries under the Asian Football Confederation) in the squad, which is 1 more than the number prescribed by AFC. The clubs can field all 5 players in a game.

This number is still less than ISL which, even after reducing the number of foreigners in its teams, allows the franchises to sign up to 8 foreigners.

The official announcement regarding this matter is yet to come out, but several reports suggest to the decision being taken already. This will leave the opponents of the foreigner-increase idea slightly disappointed, but having 5 foreigners in the squad doesn't put the Indian players as much out of focus in a game as having 8 foreigners in the team does; considering in the latter case the number of foreign players used in a match (among 11 starters plus 3 substitutes) can outnumber the Indians in ISL, but not in I-League.