Indian Super League

[Stuttgart88]

http://sports.ndtv.com/football/news/228972-i-league-continues-to-be-indian-football-s-mainstay-aiff

I wasn't aware of this. Basically same idea as Indian premier league cricket, a 3 month franchise tournament that drafts overseas stars on a temporary basis to play alongside domestic players.

The Indian equivalent of the FA has approved it, although the existing domestic league will continue. Interestingly, FIFA has approved it.

All we need to do in Ireland is something similar. Get a bunch of old gits over and name the teams after English clubs. Simple really.

[pineapple stu]

This was supposed to be on when I was in India back in January - they actually postponed the whole league schedule for it - and then it fell through, so everyone was left kicking their heels for three months. So don't expect anything revolutionary.

Saha, Trezeguet and Capdevila have signed up so far. Ronaldinho is linked.

Should be noted Indian football is a really, really low level. (Obviously I have respect to those involved, as a LoI fan, but the top flight is certainly lower than the First Division). But it'll be interesting to see how this goes.

[pineapple stu]

This is gathering pace now. David James is player-manager of Kerala Blasters; Michael Chopra is up front. Other players signed up are Josemi (ex Liverpool), Luis Garcia, Marco Materazzi (player manager now), Bojan Djordjic (former Man Utd prodigy), Alessandro del Piero, Robert Pires, Freddie Ljunberg and Nicolas Anelka. Zico and Peter Reid are among the managers. A bizarre mix of players; can't really be encouraging that some (Ljungberg and Pires) haven't had a club in two years.

Still, it's...interesting.

[NeverFeltBetter]

Djordjic, wow. I remember he turned out great on CM-00-01!

[NeverFeltBetter]

Ha, just looking at the draft system they've been using. This 37 year old Italian defender (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bruno_Cirillo) was #1.

[ArdeeBhoy]

Like yer man said it's a very low level. Kinda embarrassing but they have to start somewhere.