ISL Clubs Free to Decide on Signing Overseas Indian-Origin Players, AIFF Says

The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has clarified that Indian Super League (ISL) clubs will not be required to sign overseas Indian-origin players , stepping back from the impression created by an earlier statement issued after its Special General Body Meeting in June.

Addressing a press conference on Wednesday, AIFF deputy secretary general M Satyanarayan said clubs would be encouraged, but not compelled, to enlist such players. Any overseas Indian-origin footballer signed by a club would continue to be counted within the existing foreign-player quota .

The clarification comes after the federation had earlier stated that ISL and Indian Football League (IFL) clubs could field a starting eleven comprising three foreign players and one Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) player, leading to speculation that the inclusion of OCI players might become compulsory.

Satyanarayan also confirmed that another proposed measure, ensuring that an Indian striker remains on the field for the entire 90 minutes , would likewise be optional. He acknowledged that team selection and tactical decisions ultimately rest with coaches and clubs.

The AIFF official said the discussion around OCI players was linked to broader conversations within the government on utilising sporting talent of Indian origin. However, he stressed that any change allowing OCI footballers to represent India internationally would depend on government policy and must also comply with FIFA regulations , which require a player to hold the passport of the country he represents.

The federation used the occasion to discuss its newly agreed club-led model for running the ISL. Satyanarayan said participating clubs have the option to exit the arrangement after two years, but they would be required to provide sufficient advance notice to enable the AIFF to prepare alternative plans. He acknowledged that the earlier Master Rights Agreement (MRA) ending in the middle of a season had created difficulties and said the new framework sought to avoid a similar situation.

On the composition of the league, he reiterated that the AIFF currently considers 14 teams part of the upcoming ISL season, including newly promoted Diamond Harbour . The federation will seek formal confirmations from all clubs in the coming weeks before finalising participation.

With the clarification, the AIFF has signalled a more flexible approach, leaving key decisions on squad composition and playing strategy largely in the hands of the clubs while continuing efforts to strengthen the development of Indian football talent.