The All India Football Federation is seriously considering a landmark policy that would allow footballers from other South Asian nations to be registered as domestic players in Indian leagues — a step inspired by Bangladesh’s recent implementation of the same.
At its Executive Committee meeting held on July 2, 2025, chaired by AIFF President Kalyan Chaubey, the proposal was discussed in detail. If implemented, players from SAFF (South Asian Football Federation) countries — including Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Maldives, and Bhutan — will no longer be treated as foreign recruits by Indian clubs in the I-League and Indian Super League.
This move follows the Bangladesh Football Federation’s recent change in regulation that allows South Asian players to register as local players in their Premier League. A similar idea had been floated by Kalyan Chaubey at a SAFF meeting last year. With Bangladesh already rolling it out, the belief within the Indian football fraternity is that AIFF could soon follow suit.
If officially approved, the decision would allow ISL and I-League clubs to sign players with SAFF passports — including those with dual nationality — without occupying a foreign player slot. The current regulation allows clubs to register six foreigners, with four permitted on the field at any time.
Discussion on Foreign Player Quota and Indian Strikers’ Playing Time
During the same meeting, the Executive Committee, in consultation with the AIFF Technical Committee, also discussed the need to increase playing time for Indian players — especially strikers. One of the key suggestions was to reduce the number of foreign players allowed in both leagues in order to create more opportunities for homegrown talent.
U-23 Probables in the I-League for Asian Games Prep
Another significant point of discussion was the possibility of fielding U-23 national team probables in the I-League. This is being considered as a long-term preparation strategy for the Asian Games. A feasibility study will be initiated to explore the practicality of this move.
The house also agreed that any such policy changes should be implemented only after thorough discussions with club owners and league administrators to ensure alignment with the broader goals of Indian football.
Mutual Termination of Manolo Márquez’s Contract
The meeting also officially confirmed the mutual termination of Head Coach Manolo Márquez’s contract. The AIFF will soon issue an open advertisement inviting applications for the vacant position of Senior Men’s National Team head coach.
The meeting was attended by Deputy Chairpersons, Shabbir Ali and Harjinder Singh, members, Tababi Devi and Climax Lawrence, AIFF President’s Advisors, Armando Colaco and Bimal Ghosh, Technical Director, Syed Sabir Pasha, Director of National Teams, Subrata Paul, and other Executive Committee members.
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