Last month, the Asian Football Confederation’s (AFC) executive committee took the big decision of increasing the foreign players’ quota from the existing 3+1 to 5+1 (five players of any nationality and one from any Asian country), which would take effect from 2023-24 season. Currently, Indian Super League and I-League follow the 3+1 format which allows the Indian players to blossom and play competitively at the highest level. However, the changes clocked in by AFC have the potential to kill football in India.
Indian Men’s national team head coach Igor Stimac echoed a similar sentiment and cast aspersions over AFC’s decision. Stimac said it might be “suicidal” if the All India Football Federation (AIFF) goes through with the changes.
“We need to take decisions that will benefit Indian football and not care about those countries who already have most of their players playing in foreign countries. It will not affect them to have more foreign players.” Stimac was quoted as saying by TOI.
He further added, “We need to realise how much benefits we have got since reducing the number of foreign players in the leagues. Look at the number of young players that are coming through. We are benefiting (with the reduction), and that’s the only way forward for Indian football,”
AIFF objected to the proposal, but the majority prevailed
Reportedly, the big Asian nations that boast of a larger pool of foreign players and already have decent homegrown players pushed AFC to bring in the proposal. AIFF tried to vote against the proposal but with no support, its voice was drowned.
AIFF secretary Kushal Das, disappointed over the outcome remarked, “We had objected in the AFC’s competition committee, technical committee, and executive committee through our representatives along with some other countries, but majority prevailed.
Meanwhile, AIFF technical committee member Henry Menezes told News9 Sport, “We are a little bit taken aback because the AFC has always spoken about home-grown players. All of a sudden what has caused the AFC to change the rule is what we would like to know. We will have to weigh the pros and cons of increasing it again,”
Despite ISL coming into existence almost 8 years ago, Indian football is yet to reap any significant rewards for it as the process is slow and gradual. In the meantime, I-league has taken a back seat as well, becoming the second tier of Indian football.
AFC should not tinker with the rules
However, one shining spot through the gloom was the participation of domestic players who rubbed shoulders with international stars during the matches. It allowed them to develop their game and remain sharp.
However, with AFC tinkering with the rules, the majority of domestic players will get significantly reduced playing team which will eventually be harmful to Indian football. AIFF is not interested in clocking the changes but with pressure mounting from the franchises and AFC, it may be forced to come around.
The winner of ISL gets a direct Group stage berth to the AFC Champions League where teams with a higher number of foreign players usually come out triumphant. Thus, it will be interesting to observe how AIFF reacts to the situation and sorts the conundrum.