Goa successfully hosted the previous season inside a bio-secure bubble which means all the matches will be played behind closed doors for the ISL 2021-22 schedule
FSDL that is the organizing body had a virtual meeting with the CEOs of the participating clubs on Wednesday and after reviewing the possibility of the 3rd wave of Covid, they have opted to organize this season in Goa as well.
ISL 2021-22 Schedule And Venue
West Bengal and Kerala were also considered as options but it made sense that the FDSL selected Goa as they hosted the previous season successfully. Ground selections and logistics will be handled by clubs as last year everything was operated by HSDL. The new season will get underway starting the middle of November.
ISL 2021-22: UAE, Qatar also an option
The TOI report added- that in case the league moves out of Goa, it will be held in UAE and Qatar.
“There are concerns over the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. Nobody has an idea about the third wave in India and how badly it will affect us. If things go out of hand, the league will be held either in Qatar or UAE.”
ISL New Rules And Regulations
This season we will witness more domestic talent as the league has increased the number of Indian players on the field at any point in time. HSDL has provided the clubs with new mandates under the Coach and Player Selection Guidelines to have a minimum of 7 domestic players on the field all the time.
The inaugural 2014 season had witnessed a playing mixture of 6 foreigners and 5 domestic players. Over the years, the League has gradually increased the spots for Indian players, with Hero ISL 2017-18 having a mandate of minimum 6 Indian players on the field, which now has been further increased to 7 for this season.
This new regulation will provide a very necessary platform to the domestic players who are craving international recognition. Now every club can sign 6 foreign players out of which one should be from the AFC member nation.
ISL Squad And Salary Cap
A club can have a total number of 35 players, with 3 registered goalkeepers. A club can also have an injury replacement for an Indian player (outside of the max. 35 registered players).
The squad salary cap remains at INR 16.5 crore for season 2021-22.
ISL Golden Boot Winners List: Top Scorers From Each Edition
2014: Elano Chennaiyin FC 8
2015: Stiven Mendoza Chennaiyin FC, 13
2016: Mercelo Leite Periera Brazil, 10
2017-18: Ferran Comminas FC Goa, 18
2018-19: Ferran Comminas FC Goa, 15
2019-20: Nerijus Valskis Chennaiyin FC, 15
2020-21: Igor Angulo FC Goa, 14
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