PANAJI: Ageing and out-of-touch marquee players in the Indian Super League (ISL) could be a thing of the past after the League proposed to franchisees that a marquee player must have a professional playing contract with a club until at least December 2015 and must be considered fit to play all matches in the league next season.
All franchisees met in Mumbai on Thursday for the first time after the conclusion of the second edition in December and the League proposed a host of changes including those concerning the contentious marquee player rule. There has been criticism since the start of the ISL that marquee players contribute little on the field and many of them have come out of retirement to enjoy the benefits of a lucrative short-term contract. But while the marquee player rule will continue for at least another year due to its importance "from a marketing standpoint", the marquee players arriving in India next season could have a better profile.
"Renowned players from world football who have played for major clubs in major leagues and national teams in highest profile international competitions will be considered as marquees. They must have a professional playing contract with a club until at least December 2015 and must be fit to play all ISL matches," the League said in its proposal.
Significantly, payment made towards a marquee player will be outside the salary cap of Rs 17.5 crore -down from last season's Rs 21 crore -for the entire squad, which means, if the franchise has the resources, they are free to spend whatever they wish on their marquee without bothering about the salary cap.
The League will also do away with the marquee player-cum-manager rule. The League has proposed that "if a marquee player is also appointed as head coach, the club will be required to sign another marquee player." Mum bai City FC (Nicolas Anelka) and Delhi Dynamos (Roberto Carlos) had mar quee player-managers last season.
Really, really good stuff coming out. Seems like they are preparing for the long-term which is very nice to see. However, seems like nothing that the FPAI have called for has been considered, with the only rule helping them is the full-contract for 8 players proposed.
Also love that there will be no more player-managers.
What bothers is that the merger talks are all done by aiff officials, anonymous media sources and fans. So far there is not a single word from the main stakeholder.Looks like it will be a cold day in hell when merger actually happen.
I don't think they would release anything about a "merger". They probably talked about it but a "merger" is more important to the AIFF and the I-League teams than the ISL sides.
Sameehg Doutie joined the Kolkata-based side in July last year, following the expiry of his one-year loan spell at the Clever Boys and subsequently his three-year contract with parent club SuperSport United.
The 26-year-old made his ISL debut on 17 October 2015, as a 63rd minute substitute for ex-Mpumalanga Black Aces midfielder Ofenste Nato, and cemented his place in the team for the remainder of the campaign that ended with Atletico losing in the semi-finals to eventual champions Chennaiyin FC in December.
Despite the campaign only lasting from October to December, the Ajax Cape Town Youth Academy graduate made a strong impact as he managed six assists and three goals in 12 appearances.
His displays have since earned Doutie a contract for the 2016 season, which will begin with pre-season in August, while his representatives are hard at work trying to find him a short-term deal until July, a source close to the player has revealed.
“Sameehg [Doutie] has managed to secure a contract extension for the upcoming Super League season later this year,” says the source.
“His agent is currently looking to secure a short-term deal with a club in Europe, with a return to South Africa almost certainly ruled out.
“The plus side for Sameehg is that he is currently a free agent, and can sign for a team at any point outside of the transfer window, as his new ISL contract will only kick in when they meet for pre-season in August.”
The Cape Town-born attacker also enjoyed a short stint with Orlando Pirates in the 2011/12 season, where he won the MTN8, and has also collected winner's medals in the 2008 Telkom Knockout with Ajax Cape Town, as well as the 2012 Nedbank Cup with Matsatsantsa.
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ISL plans to get competitive marquees
Marcus Mergulhao | TNN | Jan 16, 2016, 12.53 PM ISTAll franchisees met in Mumbai on Thursday for the first time after the conclusion of the second edition in December and the League proposed a host of changes including those concerning the contentious marquee player rule. There has been criticism since the start of the ISL that marquee players contribute little on the field and many of them have come out of retirement to enjoy the benefits of a lucrative short-term contract. But while the marquee player rule will continue for at least another year due to its importance "from a marketing standpoint", the marquee players arriving in India next season could have a better profile.
"Renowned players from world football who have played for major clubs in major leagues and national teams in highest profile international competitions will be considered as marquees. They must have a professional playing contract with a club until at least December 2015 and must be fit to play all ISL matches," the League said in its proposal.
Significantly, payment made towards a marquee player will be outside the salary cap of Rs 17.5 crore -down from last season's Rs 21 crore -for the entire squad, which means, if the franchise has the resources, they are free to spend whatever they wish on their marquee without bothering about the salary cap.
The League will also do away with the marquee player-cum-manager rule. The League has proposed that "if a marquee player is also appointed as head coach, the club will be required to sign another marquee player." Mum bai City FC (Nicolas Anelka) and Delhi Dynamos (Roberto Carlos) had mar quee player-managers last season.
Also love that there will be no more player-managers.
The power of reliance at work here
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Sameehg Doutie joined the Kolkata-based side in July last year, following the expiry of his one-year loan spell at the Clever Boys and subsequently his three-year contract with parent club SuperSport United.
The 26-year-old made his ISL debut on 17 October 2015, as a 63rd minute substitute for ex-Mpumalanga Black Aces midfielder Ofenste Nato, and cemented his place in the team for the remainder of the campaign that ended with Atletico losing in the semi-finals to eventual champions Chennaiyin FC in December.
Despite the campaign only lasting from October to December, the Ajax Cape Town Youth Academy graduate made a strong impact as he managed six assists and three goals in 12 appearances.
His displays have since earned Doutie a contract for the 2016 season, which will begin with pre-season in August, while his representatives are hard at work trying to find him a short-term deal until July, a source close to the player has revealed.
“Sameehg [Doutie] has managed to secure a contract extension for the upcoming Super League season later this year,” says the source.
“His agent is currently looking to secure a short-term deal with a club in Europe, with a return to South Africa almost certainly ruled out.
“The plus side for Sameehg is that he is currently a free agent, and can sign for a team at any point outside of the transfer window, as his new ISL contract will only kick in when they meet for pre-season in August.”
The Cape Town-born attacker also enjoyed a short stint with Orlando Pirates in the 2011/12 season, where he won the MTN8, and has also collected winner's medals in the 2008 Telkom Knockout with Ajax Cape Town, as well as the 2012 Nedbank Cup with Matsatsantsa.
-ISL TROLLS