 "Indian Super League introduces new rules, makes Indian assistant coaches mandatory for clubs ahead of 2024-25 season")
The latest season of the Indian Super League (ISL) 2024-25 is set to be different for many reasons with the organisers making having an Indian assistant coach mandatory. Also, the clubs will be allowed to appeal against “wrongful” red card decisions.
Assistant coach to be main coach
The new rule changes for the upcoming ISL season include: “All the teams must have an Indian assistant coach, holding the AFC Pro License (or equivalent)”.
“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.”
For example, if Manolo Marquez, the current India coach, is not available for FC Goa duties due to a clash with Indian national team work, then assistant coach Gourmangi Singh will fill in being the assistant coach.
Other changes:
A player or club can also contest a dismissal if they believe a player was wrongly sent off due to an obvious referee error. Such a provision has been introduced by the All India Football Federation (AIFF) and incorporated in the League Rules for ISL 2024-25.
But such an application will be rejected and the fee forfeited if the dismissal was for receiving a second caution or using offensive language.
To file an appeal, the player/club must notify the match commissioner within two hours of the match ending and submit it in writing with evidence and the fee to AIFF within 24 hours.
AIFF will then obtain a technical report from the Referee’s Department.
The AIFF Disciplinary Committee will review the appeal before the start of any automatic suspension.
If the claim is accepted, the suspension will be “withdrawn and the fee refunded”, it stated.
Concussion substitute
Additionally, each club can make one concussion substitution per match, regardless of other substitutions.
The opposing team will get an additional substitution opportunity, which can be used concurrently or later.
The substitution can be made immediately after a concussion or suspected concussion, following an assessment.
The team doctor will decide if the player is fit to continue and inform the referee using the substitution card.
The substituted player must undergo a detailed assessment by a neurologist and can only return to training or play with a medical fitness certificate.
A minimum “no-contact, no training, no matches” period of 48-72 hours will apply for players substituted due to concussion, it added.
With agency inputs
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