Indian Football: No foreigners in I-League Second Division

The Indian FA want the Second Division league to serve as a feeder to the I-League and the Indian Super League (ISL)…

The All Football Federation (AIFF) plan to conduct the Second Division between March to May next year for the 2017-18 season.

The state associations have to nominate the list of clubs who would participate in the said competition by October 4. One of the criterions is that the club should have plied their trade in the local league and got good results.

It is also reliably learnt that the (ISL) clubs who shall field a reserve team for the Second Division I-League wouldn’t be allowed to participate in the final round which will be conducted in a knockout format. The AIFF is expecting close to 20 teams to be a part of I-League Division Two.

Interestingly, this time around the clubs will not be allowed to sign foreign players. Also only three Indian players in the squad can be over the age of 23 as the AIFF is keen to create more opportunities for younger players in the country.

"This year we don't want foreigners in I-League Second Division. The idea is that the clubs spend wisely on Indian players and developing their youth systems," informed an AIFF official.