AIFF increases foreign-player quota

The All India Football Federation has increased the cap on foreigners in I-League teams to four,but it comes with a stipulation: one player should be of Asian origin.

The All India Football Federation AIFF has increased the cap on foreigners in I-League teams to four,but it comes with a stipulation: one player should be of Asian origin.

The 31 provision,recommended by the Asian Football Confederation AFC,was given the go-ahead by the AIFF after its executive met on Friday. For the state leagues and Federation Cup,the number of registered foreigners will be three with at least one of Asian origin. The committee also finalised the schedule and venues for the Indian teams preparations for the Asian Cup 2011.

The preliminary camp starting June 25 has been shifted to Dubai while Bhaichung and Co will be spending a month July 7-August 7 in Barcelona ahead of the Nehru Cup. The Ambedkar stadium turf needs time to be ready for the Nehru Cup. Kolkata,Maharashtra,Chennai and Goa automatically disqualify due to the monsoons. The camp in Dubai was also planned keeping in mind the conditions India might face in Doha venue for Asian Cup 2011, AIFF president in-charge Praful Patel said,adding,The month-long camp at Nou Camp was arranged to give the players a different atmosphere and better infrastructural set-up. They will also be playing five matches there.

Patel also ended all speculations regarding AIFF general secretary Alberto Colacos resignation,saying they were awaiting an able replacement. His contract had already lapsed last December and he had expressed the desire of moving on from here. We requested him to wait till we find somebody else. Hell continue until the next general secretary is named, Patel added.

Meanwhile,the AIFF has also decided to be severe on clubs trying to jeopardise the availability of national team players for camps.