Panaji: Indian Super League (ISL) clubs have told their foreign players they are free to chase opportunities elsewhere for the rest of the season with the top-tier league yet to kick off here. The ISL normally starts in September and concludes in April, but football has come to a standstill this season as the All India Football Federation (AIFF) does not have a marketing partner. The commercial rights for the top league did not find any takers. Without any competitive football, foreign players are growing restless and have chosen to make a move during this month’s transfer window, even though it’s for lesser money. “The situation has become untenable for my family and me,” said FC Goa midfielder Borja Herrera who has moved to Indonesia after four seasons in India. “Those in charge have pushed me to make this decision, as after countless meetings, they still haven’t made a real decision.” Herrera, the only player to win three Super Cups in a row, wasn’t the first from Goa to quit the club. Javier Siverio packed his bags for Greece even before the club could play their concluding AFC Champions League Two group-stage clash against FC Istiklol at home. His parting message: “Have some shame, AIFF.” Kerala Blasters too have seen departures. While Portuguese striker Tiago Alves mutually parted ways with the club after playing just three competitive games in three months, captain Adrian Luna is headed to Indonesia on loan till end of season, and Moroccan winger Noah Sadaoui is almost certain to join him in the Indonesian Super League later this week. “In a normal situation, we would have wanted the players to stay with us, but we are being pragmatic and don’t want to create hurdles,” said Kerala Blasters CEO Abhik Chatterjee. “The players want to prolong their careers and need to be playing competitive football, particularly when approaching a certain age. Everyone is now trying to ascertain what is best for them. The players are looking at opportunities.” Scottish midfielder Connor Shields, Chennaiyin FC’s captain last season, waited for an update from Indian football for several months before deciding it was best for him to continue his journey with Cambodian Premier League champions Svay Rieng FC. East Bengal and Bengaluru FC are also expecting to lose their foreign players for the rest of the season, though widespread speculation about Argentine defender Kevin Sibille leaving the Kolkata giants is incorrect. Fiji striker Roy Krishna, a previous winner of the ISL Golden Ball, decided to ply his trade in the Super League Kerala with Malappuram FC, and with no sign of ISL kicking off, preferred to move home where he is now the first marquee signing for Bula FC. “For the foreign players, we have provided them with an option that they are free to move if there are offers,” said NorthEast CEO Mandar Tamhane. “Some of our foreign players are young and their futures are at stake. If they don’t play, it’s difficult to find offers (for next season).”
