2016–17 I-League
| Season | 2016–17 |
|---|---|
|
← 2015–16 | |
The 2016–17 I-League will be the 10th season of the I-League, the top Indian professional league for association football clubs, since its establishment in 2007. The season will begin on 7 January 2017.[1]
Bengaluru FC are the defending champions. Dempo have entered the league after being promoted from the I-League 2nd Division while Salgaocar and Sporting Goa withdrew from the league.
Teams
As of now, eight teams will compete in the league. The majority of the teams from the previous season as well as recently promoted Dempo are to compete this season. Dempo were promoted to the I-League on 30 May 2016, defeating Minerva Academy 3–1.[2] Aizawl were relegated from the I-League the previous season, despite finishing above last place DSK Shivajians who were exempt from relegation. However, on 27 September 2016, the All India Football Federation (AIFF) announced that Aizawl would be reinstated into the I-League for the 2016–17 season.[1]
Throughout the summer of 2016, the three Goan I-League clubs – Dempo, Salgaocar, and Sporting Goa – had been indecisive over their participation in the league. On 24 June 2016 it was first announced that Salgaocar and Sporting Goa would withdraw from the I-League following their displeasure over the proposed roadmap for Indian football for the 2017–18 season, with Dempo also threatening to do so next.[3] However, in September 2015 it was revealed that despite withdrawing Sporting Goa and Dempo still submitted their AFC Licensing documents needed for I-League play.[4] It was then revealed on 10 November that both Sporting Goa and Dempo were given national licenses for the I-League.[5] Despite this though, however, on 22 November 2016 it was officially announced by Sporting Goa that they would withdraw from the I-League for good.[6]
As well as dealing with the Goan clubs potential exit from the league, the AIFF have also worked on providing direct-entry for certain clubs into the I-League for this season. On 26 October 2016 it was revealed that both Minerva Academy and FC Bardez had submitted documents for direct-entry into the I-League.[7] However, on 23 November, it was announced that the AIFF would be issuing new tenders for a direct-entry side in the league after none of the three sides which applied fulfilled the financial criteria.[8]
Stadiums and locations
- Note: Table lists in alphabetical order.
| Team | Location | Stadium | Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aizawl | Aizawl, Mizoram | Rajiv Gandhi Stadium | 5,000 |
| Bengaluru FC | Bangalore, Karnataka | Sree Kanteerava Stadium | 24,000 |
| Dempo | Panjim, Goa | Fatorda Stadium | 19,500 |
| DSK Shivajians | Pune, Maharashtra | Balewadi Stadium | 12,000 |
| East Bengal | Kolkata, West Bengal | To Be Announced | |
| Mohun Bagan | Kolkata, West Bengal | To Be Announced | |
| Mumbai | Mumbai, Maharashtra | Cooperage Ground | 5,000 |
| Shillong Lajong | Shillong, Meghalaya | Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium | 30,000 |
Personnel and kits
| Team | Manager1 | Kit manufacturer | Shirt sponsor |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aizawl | TBA | Vamos | NE Consultancy Services |
| Bengaluru FC |  Albert Roca |
Puma | JSW Group |
| Dempo |  Mauricio Afonso |
Shiv Naresh | Dempo |
| DSK Shivajians |  Dave Rogers |
Nivia | DSK Group |
| East Bengal | Trevor Morgan |
Shiv Naresh | Kingfisher |
| Mohun Bagan | Sanjoy Sen |
Shiv Naresh | TBA |
| Mumbai | Santosh Kashyap |
Nivia | Playwin |
| Shillong Lajong | Thangboi Singto |
Adidas | Gionee |
Head coaching changes
| Team | Outgoing head coach | Manner of departure |
Date of vacancy | Position in table | Incoming head coach | Date of appointment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bengaluru FC | Ashley Westwood |
End of Contract | 1 June 2016[9] | Pre-season | Albert Roca |
6 July 2016[10] |
| DSK Shivajians | Derrick Pereira |
Resigned | 8 June 2016[11] | Dave Rogers |
14 June 2016[12] | |
| Mumbai | Khalid Jamil |
Resigned | 15 June 2016[13] | Santosh Kashyap |
22 June 2016[14] |
Foreign players
A team can register up to four foreign players, of which one should compulsorily be a national of an Asian Country.[15]
| Club | Player 1 | Player 2 | Player 3 | Asian Player |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aizawl | ||||
| Bengaluru FC | John Johnson |
Juanan |
 Cameron Watson | |
| Dempo |  Felix Chidi Odili |
|||
| DSK Shivajians | Juan Quero |
 Shane McFaul |
 Saša Kolunija |
 Kim Song-yong |
| East Bengal |  Wedson Anselme |
 Ivan Bukenya |
||
| Mohun Bagan |  Darryl Duffy |
 Katsumi Yusa | ||
| Mumbai | ||||
| Shillong Lajong |
References
- 1 2 "AIFF reinstates relegated Aizawl FC in I-League after club's impressive run". FirstPost. 27 September 2016. Retrieved 22 November 2016.
- ↑ Jitendran, Nikhil (30 May 2016). "Shrinivas Dempo: 'Dempo SC will reach greater heights'". Goal.com. Retrieved 22 November 2016.
- ↑ "Salgaocar FC, Sporting Clube de Goa withdraw from I-League". Indian Express. 24 June 2016. Retrieved 22 November 2016.
- ↑ Paransar, Swapnaneel (15 September 2016). "Sporting Clube de Goa submit all licensing documents as Salgaocar stand firm on boycott". Goal.com. Retrieved 22 November 2016.
- ↑ "Bengaluru FC granted AFC license for 2016-17 season". Goal.com. 10 November 2016. Retrieved 22 November 2016.
- ↑ "Sporting Clube de Goa confirm their withdrawal from I-League, Dempo SC to follow suit". FirstPost. 22 November 2016. Retrieved 22 November 2016.
- ↑ "Minerva FC, FC Bardez Goa submit bids for direct entry into I-League". One India. 26 October 2016. Retrieved 22 November 2016.
- ↑ "AIFF issues fresh tender as interested I-League clubs' bids fall short". Times of India. 23 November 2016. Retrieved 26 November 2016.
- ↑ "Ashley Westwood leaves Bengaluru FC after contract ends". ESPNFC. 31 May 2016. Retrieved 22 November 2016.
- ↑ "I-League: Bengaluru FC appoint Spaniard Albert Roca as new head coach". Goal.com. 6 July 2016.
- ↑ "I-League: DSK Shivajians opt to not renew Derrick Pereira's contract". Goal.com. 2 June 2016.
- ↑ "DSK Shivajians rope in Englishman Rogers as head coach". 14 June 2016.
- ↑ "I-League: Khalid Jamil steps down as Mumbai FC coach". goal.com. 15 June 2016.
- ↑ "I-League - Santosh Kashyap announced as new Mumbai FC Head Coach". goal.com. 22 June 2016.
- ↑ "Hero I-League regulations 2014-15" (PDF). Retrieved 7 July 2016.