AIFF Technical Committee recommends implementing 3+1 foreigners rule

This is being done to comply with AFC regulations to participate in continental club competitions.

All India Football Federation’s Technical Committee under the chairmanship of Mr. Shyam Thapa met on May 8, 2020 via a video conference. Besides Mr. Thapa, all other members including Deputy Chairman Mr. Henry Menezes, Mr. Prasanta Banerjee, Mr. Ganapati Palguna, Mr. Pradip Kumar Datta, Mr. Ishfaq Ahmed and Mr. Sundar Raman, and Mr. Abhishek Yadav attended the meeting from their respective residences. AIFF General Secretary Mr. Kushal Das was also present.

The Committee discussed at length and unanimously recommended the implementation of the 3 (foreigners) +1 (Asian) recruit rule for all domestic league matches after the 2021 season onwards, as per current AFC regulations for participation in AFC Club competitions.

However, if AFC changes this rule, the changes will be implemented for domestic league matches.

The Committee also felt that it isn’t appropriate to discuss the PIO/OCI rule allowing players of Indian origin to represent India at present, and that it’s appropriate for it to be discussed at a later stage once clarity is provided by MYAS.

The Committee was also briefed about the postponement of the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup India 2020 by the FIFA-Confederations working group, and that the future dates for the tournament haven’t yet been finalised.

Furthermore, it was also decided that the Chairman and the Deputy Chairman would be a part of all of AIFF-SAI technical discussions for the betterment of Indian Football.

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