Exclusive: Aizawl FC's Robert Royte on decreasing foreigners in I-League

The owner of the northeast club suggested that the domestic game should opt for a 2+1 formula.

The I-League is seriously considering a change in their rules when it comes to foreign players next season, shaping it to be similar to Asian football in general. The rule of having 3+1(three foreigners and one Asian player) is very close to being implemented and the owners of the clubs are encouraging such decisions. Aizawl FC owner Robert Royte recently tweeted about his strong support for the 3+1 rule, insisting that he wouldn’t have a problem even if it was decreased to 2+1 foreign players. Khel Now reached out to the Aizawl owner, who spoke on his recent consultations with the All India Football Federation on this newest change.

He said: “I participated in the zoom meeting yesterday with the AIFF. The technical committee of the AIFF has made recommendations on the 3+1 and as a stakeholder, we club owners were consulted yesterday. Almost all the clubs supported the 3+1 formula. All four players can play together instead of only three playing."

Robert Royte also opened up on why Indian football needs to give more focus on younger, emerging talents instead of focusing on bringing older players from other countries.

He explained, “My idea is always to promote the local and Indian players in our team. We need to give more chances to the younger players and local players, instead of paying huge amounts to retired players from foreign countries. If you analyze the amount of football investment in India, a huge percentage of it goes to the foreign players, most of them who are above 35."

“What is the point for investing such huge money for the players who have already retired in their countries? India should not be the home for retired players. We have to give due focus and significance to the emerging players instead of investing huge money on players from foreign countries.”

The Aizawl owner agreed that Indian football can start shaping its model around how the season takes place around Asia, but the bigger priority is to look at investing more in Indian players and less on foreigners.

He said: “That is also a very good idea. But, if you see the Asian countries at large, the season differs from country to country. Regarding the foreign players, the formula differs from country to country. In one country, we cannot dictate the terms for other countries."

“But, my worry is that a huge percentage of the salary goes to the foreign players who come and go. We have to invest more on the players who will remain in India and who can represent India in Asian and regional tournaments."

“The investment of the clubs for foreigners because of the aim to be champions – the clubs are paying huge money for flying players. Those foreign players can’t play for India, they can’t even play for their own national team. We have to reorient our focus and invest more on the Indian players, so that the national team’s performance will be hugely improved,” Robert Royte concluded.

The I-League seems to be destined to further decrease the number of foreign players improved and a successful model could see a similar one quickly transitioned into the Indian Super League as well.

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