The stakeholders of Indian Super League (ISL) will wait for government directive regarding community sport before deciding on the schedule for the seventh edition. India is under lockdown from March 25 in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.

“Unless and until the Union government gives directives, nothing can be decided on when the ISL would start and other things. There are a lot of pros and cons which we have to weigh in. Since a glut of foreign players ply their trade in ISL, the government’s immigration law post-Covid-19 will have to be taken into consideration,” someone in the know of things told The Telegraph on Friday.

The ISL has a host of players from Spain, one of the most worst-affected countries due to the pandemic. Antonio Lopez, coach of newly crowned champions ATK, is a Spanish and of the seven foreigners five were Antonio’s compatriots.

The Football and Sports Development Authority (FSDL), which runs the ISL along with the All India Football Federation, had a meeting on Thursday with the different franchises and it was decided that stock of the situation will be taken after May 31.

The second phase of lockdown ends on May 3 and is likely to be extended.

There is a proposal to reduce the number of foreigners in a team but according to another source the franchises are not keen.

“The franchises are not game for a change in the foreign-player rule for the next season at least,” he said.

As of now, five overseas players are allowed in the playing XI and the maximum number of foreigners that a team can register is seven.

There is a cloud over IPL XIII and the ISL stakeholders will wait for the decision of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).

“As of now there is no clarity on when the IPL will be held. Since the broadcasters of both the leagues are same, let’s see what decision the BCCI takes on IPL. The BCCI also is waiting for directives from the union government. Everything at this point in time is very fluid,” someone who tracks ISL informed.