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No IPL-style football in India: Houghton
National coach Bob Houghton on Thursday virtually ruled out any IPL-style football event in India, saying such a concept is not possible in the country because
New Delhi :
National coach Bob Houghton on Thursday virtually ruled out any IPL-style football event in India, saying such a concept is not possible in the country because of the exorbitant money involved in buying an international player and also it was against FIFA guidelines.
"It could be a very inventive idea but that is not possible in India given the exorbitant amount of money it would involve. You won't get top international players for the tournament. A Cristiano Ronaldo will not come for a short period here to play an IPL-style tournament," said Houghton at his first media interaction of the year on the eve of national team's departure for Dubai for a 20-day training camp.
"Moreover, FIFA will not allow a player playing in three sides (national team, their present club and the IPL-style club). So such a tournament is not possible," the Englishman said.
"It could be a very inventive idea but that is not possible in India given the exorbitant amount of money it would involve. You won't get top international players for the tournament. A Cristiano Ronaldo will not come for a short period here to play an IPL-style tournament," said Houghton at his first media interaction of the year on the eve of national team's departure for Dubai for a 20-day training camp.
"Moreover, FIFA will not allow a player playing in three sides (national team, their present club and the IPL-style club). So such a tournament is not possible," the Englishman said.
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