ISL: Five ways the league could be different following the pandemic

The Indian top flight is expected to be more innovative in a number of ways in the 2020-21 season.

Similar to the lasting effects on different football leagues around the world, the coronavirus pandemic is bound to have an impact on the ISL as well. From the location of the games to the number of players allowed in a matchday squad, there are a raft of changes we could potentially witness in the 2020-21 season of the country’s premier football league competition.

The upcoming campaign is scheduled to kick off in November and will run all the way till March. With football or any sport for that matter of fact still on standstill in the country, it gives us time to look at some of the changes we are likely to see in the seventh edition of the ISL.

5. No fans in the stadium

Similar to the European leagues following the resumption of football, it is likely that the games in the upcoming campaign of the Indian Super League will be conducted sans the presence of fans in the stadiums to prevent the spread of the virus.

It will understandably be a little difficult for the players to play in such an atmosphere but it is a non-negotiable factor in the current circumstances. Last season’s final between ATK and Chennaiyin FC was also held behind closed doors at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Goa.

4. Games will be played in a single state

All of the matches in the 2020-21 season of the ISL will take place in a single state. Goa and Kerala are clear frontrunners to host the campaign with the former holding an edge due to better infrastructure. The primary reason behind all the games being held in one fixed state is to limit the travel for the teams and thereby contain the spread of the virus.

3. Teams to be part of a bio-secure bubble

The concerned authorities will take stringent measures to ensure the safety of the players as well as the non-playing staff. Accordingly, the teams will mandatorily have to be a part of a bio-secure bubble, a term that might seem alien to many.

However, it means that the squads will be somewhat isolated and will have to follow strict guidelines to minimize the risk of infection. A number of teams will likely be clubbed together, taking residence at the same hotel and will only be permitted to travel back and forth for training and to the selected venues for their games.

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2. Five Substitutions

Khel Now had previously revealed that the ISL teams will be allowed to make five substitutions next season, following in the footsteps of their European counterparts. The league is awaiting the permission of the All India Football Federation before implementing the rule change. If it is indeed approved, it will be a game-changing decision, considering the players will need to be protected from injuries resulting from months of inaction.

Moreover, the increase in substitutions could subsequently provide more playing time to the local players, who will have a greater probability of featuring on the field. Former Kerala Blasters coach Eelco Schattorie also expressed his support for the move in an exclusive interview with Khel Now.

1. Less teams will splash big money on signings

A number of clubs have been hit hard financially by the pandemic, which has affected their business in the market. Kerala Blasters are one of the sides that have faced financial difficulties owing in large part to COVID-19. The Blasters had even asked several of their players to take pay cuts in order to balance their books during these testing times.

It also cost them the signing of Tiri, who wasn’t ready to take a pay-cut and is reportedly going to join his former club ATK. Similarly, the reduced finances of most of the sides will prevent them from going gung-ho on transfers and spend lavishly on incoming players, which could see clubs shift to a more shrewd and innovative approach in the recruitment process.  

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