ISL is planning to make 3 major changes in foreign players rules & foreign quota from 2024-25 season.
1. Asian Players Quota Removed
Till now there is a rule in ISL, every club must have one asian player(also include Australia) in their squad out of six foreigners, but now they are planning to scrap off this rule because AFC also removed this rule from all of their competition. So there is no point for the Indian Super League to continue with it.
Another drawback of this rule was that the quality of Asian players is not the same as European or South American players, so clubs are not getting value for money from Asian players.This is what some of the clubs officials feel. After this rule change clubs can sign all foreign quota players from anywhere in the world.Though there are clubs in ISL who have more than one asian player in their squad like Mohun Bagan SG (Jason Cummings, Petratos & Brendan Hamill), Who won the ISL 2023-24. So at the end of the day it depends more on scouting rather than origin.
2. Increase in Salary Cap
Another change they are planning to make is in the seasonal salary cap.They want to increase it from the current salary cap of 16.5 cr to 18 cr. Which can allow club’s to spend more money on the squad building. Though already Indian players’ salaries are very high compared to their quality & global market. But due to the lack of quality Indian players, club’s don’t have a choice. So after this rule there might be more inflation in Indian players salaries.
3. Increase in Marquee Player Quota
Earlier there was a rule that you can sign one marquee player outside of salary cap. Now they are planning to increase it to Two. That means the club can sign 2 players outside the salary cap. Due to this change clubs can now spend more money on the foreign signings.
So, these are the changes ISL organisers are planning to make & already informally informed to the clubs , so they can plan accordingly for next season’s squad.
