Play Six Indians in Place of Existing Five in ISL: Bhutia

Bhutia said that the FPAI has asked ISL to increase the number of domestic players as well as teams in the league.

Baichung Bhutia with other Indian football players at the FPAI Awards Night (Photo: Facebook/Football Players Association of India)

Former India captain Bhaichung Bhutia said that the Football Players Association of India (FPAI) has asked IMG-Reliance to increase the homegrown players to six from the current five in the starting eleven of the Indian Super League (ISL).

The former FPAI president also said that the association wanted the ISL to increase the teams from the present eight by “one or two teams”.

Bhutia was speaking at the FPAI’s annual awards function at the Cooperage banquet hall, Mumbai on Monday.

We want to work with the ISL and I-League. We want more and more teams to join the I-League and ISL. With this, the two competitions will get stronger. We need more teams so that more players get chances, We have (also) requested for six Indians in the ISL (against the current norm of five) in the starting eleven.

Bhaichung Bhutia

FPAI’s vice-president and former India international Abhishek Yadav said the association was striving hard for the betterment of lots of players including providing them an easier pathway to earn the coaches’ norms and medical insurance.

Bengaluru FC’s English coach Ashley Westwood, who was nominated as the winner of the best coaches’ award at the function, said he has seen a lot of interest in football in India over the last three years he has been present in the country.

“I have seen many improvements. It’s not only cricket now. Professional football is rising. That will help Indian football,” he said.