Football: FFSL to bar foreign players for next FA Cup

The Football Federation of Sri Lanka (FFSL) has decided against recruitment of foreign players to any club, for the 2016/17 FA Cup scheduled to commence in October. 

The FF was compelled to enforce this rule as foreign players contracted to play in the last edition of the FA Cup lacked discipline, and were not quality players. 

Over 40 foreign players participated in the last FA Cup and a majority of them 'questioned' referees' decisions creating unwanted situations. 

For the Dialog Champions League commencing on June 25, permission has been granted to recruit 3 foreign players for the Champions League and 2 foreign players each for Divisions I and II, but foreign players will not be allowed to participate in the 2017 FA Cup and Divisions I and II. 

But from next year, only 2 foreign players can be hired for the Champions League. 

"Foreign players participating in Indian Football tournaments are mostly European and African players from top clubs in their countries, which has helped India improve its Football standards. Whereas, Sri Lanka clubs bring down mediocre players who are not from top clubs, and hence, will do no good for the improvement of Lanka's Football " said Media Committee Chairman and former FFSL President, Ranjith Rodrigo.