Zico repeats call for one 8 month league with 4 foreign players per team

ON THE SAME DAY when Baichung Bhutia has raised his voice against merging I-League and ISL, FC Goa coach Zico has reiterated his support for the merger.

Speaking to the media in the pre-match press conference ahead of the ISL final between FC Goa and Chennaiyin FC, Zico said that a short tournament like ISL was not enough to develop the sport in the country,

"For an event, 4 months is okay. But if you want to develop football, you need an 8 month league to be equal to other clubs and countries in Asia."

Zico said this as he stood by the statement he made just a few days ago, calling for ISL to adopt rules set by Asian Football Confederation and have a maximum of 4 foreigners in every team, just like I-League does.

The Brazilian football legend has been prescribing the merger of I-League and ISL for streamlined development of football in India since last year. 

His words found support from Chennaiyin FC player Elano, who said that in order to push for development of the sport there was no alternative to a league of longer duration.