ISL set to introduce drastic changes to its player sign-up system

The Football Players Association of India (FPAI), backed by about 200 footballers, put forward their concerns about the draft system in their meeting with the ISL organizers few weeks ago.

There was wide-spread disgruntlement among the players about a select few being auctioned, while the others are sold in the draft. Last season, as many as 114 players featured in the draft, from which 40 players were brought, while 10 players were sold at the auction for astronomical figures.

According to Goal.com, the ISL management is now reportedly trying to abolish both the draft and the auction system for its third season. Instead it will be an open market, like in other leagues around the world, where clubs will have to sign players from other teams for an agreed transfer fee.

The league is also likely to scrap the option to use a marquee player as a manager. ISL is considering the possibility of introducing the 'Beckham rule', also known as the designated player rule, into the league instead.

The 'Beckham rule' is used by the Major League Soccer (MLS), which allows teams to buy one player outside the salary cap (the maximum wage a team can pay a player). This provides the teams with the opportunity to compete with other European clubs in the transfer market.

ISL introduced a budget cap in last year's draft and auction, although they are yet to introduce a salary cap, which has also been demanded by the FPAI.

“This will be a major boost for the ISL clubs as it will allow us to compete for some of the best names,” an unnamed club official was quoted as saying by Goal.com.

Teams will now have to sign a minimum of eight Indian players on a yearly contract, while they will be allowed to sign five players on loan.