AIFF clears 3 foreigners per team

The All India Football Federation on Tuesday decided to scrap the idea of Persons of Indian Origin playing in the I-League, all-India tournaments and local leagues this season, and allowed clubs to register four foreigners, including one of Asian origin.

"All clubs will be allowed to register four (3 foreigners and one Asian) for all tournaments including I-League (Division 1 and 2), Federation Cup, All-India tournaments and local leagues for this season only," a statement of the AIFF said.

"However, only three of the foreign players can be in the actual playing eleven," the statement added.

Last season, the AIFF allowed five foreigners, including one PIO and one of Asian origin, to be registered by each club.

Meanwhile, the national senior team now training in Portugal will take on Uniao Desportiva da Serra in a practice match on Wednesday at Pope John Paul II stadium Fatima.

The Bob Houghton-coached side will play against Clube Desportivo de Mafra on Thursday.

The Indian team has played six practice matches so far in their two-month training stint in Portugal which began on July 1, winning four, drawing and losing one game each.