The Indian Super League (ISL) introduced rule changes on Wednesday ahead of the forthcoming season starting September 13.
Among the key changes, one of them is the reversal of the referee’s decision on issuing red cards if a club challenge the decision and it turns out to be wrong.
“Claim for wrongful dismissals for direct red cards (for obvious errors) has been introduced by AIFF and incorporated in the League Rules for ISL 2024-25,” the newly introduced ‘ISL 2024-25 Changes’ read.
A new rule has also been introduced about ‘Concussion Substitution’.
As per the new policy, a ‘Maximum of one concussion substitution’ in a match per team’ is allowed.
“Correspondingly, the opposing team will receiev an ‘additional susbtitution’ opportunity,” the new guidelines read.
The ISL also made it mandatory for the franchises to hire Indian assistant coaches, holding the AFC Pro License or equivalent license.
“If the head coach is relieved from his position or suspended for certain matches, the Indian assistant coach will take over all head coach duties as the interim head coach,” read the guidelines.
Meanwhile, a new homegrown category has been added, stating ‘upto three of whom can be excluded from the salary cap’.
Defining the homegrown players, the AIFF stated, “The home grown players are U-23 players who have been registered with a club for consecutive three years immediately preceeding ISL 2024-25.”