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After the I-League workshop yesterday at the AIFF Football House in New Delhi it came to light that some clubs suggested to the AIFF and I-League bodies to consider to playing India's premier club football competition without foreigners, even if need be the 2015/16 season with some of the clubs already having signed foreigners and other foreign players still having valid contracts.
The AIFF and I-League then talked about constituting a body to see if it is feasible to play the I-League without foreigners and if the proposal is accepted, then the 2016/17 season would be played without foreigners.
But the question which needs to be answered first is, does it make sense to consider playing the I-League without foreigners?
From an Indian football perspective it surely makes sense to consider having no foreigners in the I-League for two to three years and then again assess the situation to make changes as needed. India coach Stephen Constantine would see a lot of the younger players in a regular league, maybe new talent would emerge in a competitive environment.
Also in the short-term in which the I-League has to co-exist with the Indian Super League, where six foreigners plus five Indians can start, it could be an option to give young Indian talent playing time at the top level but on the other side Indian clubs playing in the AFC Champions League qualifiers and AFC Cup group stage, where the Asian Football Confederation's 3+1 rule (three foreigners from around the world plus an Asian footballer) is allowed.
This would then mean that either Indian clubs play the continental competitions without their crucial foreigners or they sign foreigners, who over a six-month period would play a minimum of six group stage matches.
Then there are other issues like the overall quality of the I-League and the marketability of the product without the foreign footballers, while questions would also arise of the I-League becoming second tier to the high profile Indian Super League, where ageing stars take the field.
Interestingly, I-League clubs raised the issue of no foreigners in the I-League due to the plans of toughening the marquee player rule and in general the high salaries that are being paid to foreign footballers.
Overall it isn't an easy ask, but it needs to be discussed and the best decision taken in the interest of Indian football. I personally feel it could be something to try out next season but the product should not be diluted for it.
