AIFF eyes major policy shifts for Indian Football, announces coaching vacancy

by Chittu Shetty July 3, 2025

In a significant Executive Committee meeting held on July 2, 2025, under the leadership of AIFF President Kalyan Chaubey, the AIFF initiated discussions on several potentially transformative policy proposals.

These deliberations, encompassing player registration, foreign player quotas, and youth development strategies, signal a proactive approach to Indian football’s future, though their ultimate impact remains a “wait and watch” scenario.

One of the most noteworthy proposals gaining traction is the consideration of allowing footballers from other South Asian nations to be registered as domestic players in Indian leagues. This idea, directly influenced by Bangladesh’s recent successful implementation, could see players from SAFF (South Asian Football Federation) countries – including Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Maldives, and Bhutan – no longer occupying a foreign player slot in the Indian Super League (ISL) and I-League.

While this move aims to foster regional integration and potentially increase the talent pool available to Indian clubs, its effectiveness hinges on various factors. On one hand, it could lead to an influx of quality regional players, including players with dual nationalities with fellow SAFF countries, enhancing competition and reducing reliance on expensive non-SAFF foreign recruits. On the other hand, concerns might arise regarding the immediate impact on playing opportunities for Indian players, especially if not balanced with other policies. The current regulation permits clubs to register six foreigners, with four on the field; how this new policy integrates without inadvertently limiting domestic talent will be crucial to its success.

Complementing this, the Executive Committee, in consultation with the AIFF Technical Committee, critically examined the need to boost playing time for Indian footballers, particularly strikers – a long-standing challenge in Indian football. A central suggestion was to potentially reduce the number of foreign players allowed in both the ISL and I-League. This strategic reduction is envisioned as a direct pathway to creating more invaluable opportunities for homegrown talent to develop and flourish. This move, if carefully implemented, could be a significant step towards addressing the perennial issue of Indian strikers struggling for game time due to their foreign counterparts. However, the balance between maintaining competitive league standards and promoting local talent will require delicate calibration.

Further emphasizing long-term strategic planning, another significant point of discussion focused on the possibility of fielding Under-23 national team probables directly in the I-League. This initiative is being explored as a crucial preparation strategy for future Asian Games campaigns. While providing consistent high-level competitive exposure for young national team prospects is undeniably beneficial, the practicalities and potential disruptions to existing I-League structures will need thorough assessment through the initiated feasibility study. The committee’s collective affirmation that any such policy changes would only be implemented after extensive discussions with club owners and league administrators underscores a pragmatic approach, recognizing that broad consensus is vital for successful implementation.

In other significant news from the meeting, the AIFF officially confirmed the mutual termination of Head Coach Manolo Márquez’s contract for the Senior Men’s National Team. Márquez’s tenure saw a challenging period for the national side, registering just one win and four draws across eight games, highlighting the immediate need for a new strategic direction. The AIFF is now set to promptly issue an open advertisement, inviting applications from qualified candidates for the vacant and highly anticipated position of the Senior Men’s National Team head coach, a decision that will undoubtedly be scrutinized for its potential to reinvigorate the national team’s performance.

The Executive Committee meeting saw the attendance of several prominent football figures, including 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, and Director of National Teams Subrata Paul, alongside other esteemed Executive Committee members, signaling a unified front in navigating these critical decisions. The coming months will reveal how these proposed policies translate into concrete actions and their ultimate impact on the trajectory of Indian football.

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