Mumbai: The upcoming season of the Indian Super League will mandate the increase in local players on the field at any point in time. The new set of guidelines issued has clear instruction to field at least seven Indian footballers instead of the previous six.
An increase in local players automatically implies a decrease in the number of foreign players that can be fielded which is now set at four. The new rules were welcomed by everyone as a sign of the progress of Indian football. During the inaugural season, the numbers were six foreigners and five Indians.
Increase of 🇮🇳 players in Playing XI 📝
Total squad size 🔢
Salary cap 💰All you need to know about the new regulations for #HeroISL 2021-22 #LetsFootball https://t.co/V8YSp7GI6n
— Indian Super League (@IndSuperLeague) June 8, 2021
Apart from these, each club now can sign six foreign players maximum, among whom one has to be from an AFC member nation. The club will also have an option to sign a foreign marquee player of course staying inside the classifications approved by the League.
Football Sports Development Limited also made it mandatory for the clubs to sign a minimum of four development players contradicting the previously stated two. Among these four, two of them have to be named to the matchday squad.
A club will also be allowed a maximum squad of 35 players, which must include three goalkeepers. A club will also be allowed to have an injury replacement for one Indian player that is outside of the said maximum of 35 registered players.
