The All India Football Federation (AIFF) approved the new rules of the Indian Super League (ISL) on Monday, removing the salary cap set on marquee players, and reinstated Aizawl FC in the I-League after their impressive displays last season. The decision was made during the AIFF executive committee meeting in Goa, headed by chief Praful Patel.
The meeting was also attended by Indian coach Stephen Constantine, U-17 coach Nicolai Adam, and technical committee chairman Baichung Bhutia. "Keeping in mind the heartwarming performance of Aizawl FC in the last edition, the Committee unanimously decided to give them a ticket to play in the 2016-17 edition," the AIFF said in a statement.
Sporting Goa was also included in this year's I-League, which will start from June 7. The Mizoram team Aizawl FC were originally relegated after finishing eighth in the table.
There were changes in the transfer regulations of the ISL too. Henceforth, franchises can spend any amount on marquee players depending on how deep their pockets are. The wages for the marquee players will be outside the Rs 17.5 crore salary cap that clubs are allowed to spend for the entire side.