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ISL 2021-22: All you need to know: New rules on Number of Indian and foreign players, team salary cap

The ISL 2021-22 season will witness an increase in the number of Indian players in the playing 11, as the new Coach and Player Selection Guidelines mandates. Clubs need a minimum of 7 Indian players in the Playing 11.

Akash Mishra

Mumbai, June 8: The Indian Super League 2021-22 season will witness an increase in the number of Indian players in the playing 11, as the new Coach and Player Selection Guidelines of Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL) now mandates clubs to have a minimum of seven (7) Indian players on the field at any point of time.

Till last season, the number of Indian players were stipulated in the playing 11 in the ISL was six (6), and the new rule means a spot lesser for foreign players which will now be capped at a maximum of four (4), stated an ISL release.

Since the inception of ISL, there has been constant progression, innovation, and focus to develop Indian football.

The latest changes in player guidelines are incorporated with the ISL's philosophy of bringing constant improvement to India's premier football event. The inaugural 2014 season had witnessed a playing composition of 6 foreigners and 5 Indian players.

Over the years, the ISL has gradually increased the spots for Indian players, with ISL 2017-18 having a mandate of minimum 6 Indian players on the field, which now has been further increased to 7 for the 2021-22 season.

The cap on foreign players to a maximum of 4 is in accordance with the Asian Football Confederation's club competitions' regulations. With the changes, clubs can sign a maximum of 6 foreign players of which one is required to be from an AFC member nation. A club also has an option to sign a foreign marquee player within the League-approved classifications.

Starting this season, FSDL will mandate clubs to increase their development player signing from minimum two (2) to four (4), while continuing to have two of such development players be part of the match-day squad.

The League witnessed a significant improvement in the performance of developmental players last season with the likes of Akash Mishra, Apuia, Jeakson Singh, Rahul KP, Asish Rai, etc. delivering breakthrough performances underlining the testament to the growth of young footballers in India.

A club can have a maximum squad strength of 35 players, with 3 registered goalkeepers. A club can also have an injury replacement for an Indian player (outside of the maximum 35 registered players). The squad salary cap remains at INR 16.5 crore for season 2021-22.

Story first published: Tuesday, June 8, 2021, 17:21 [IST]
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