User:ArsenalFan700/2013-14 I-League

The 2013–14 I-League is the 7th season of the I-League, the Indian professional league for association football clubs, since its establishment in 2007. The season features 13 clubs, ten from the previous season, two promoted teams, and one expansion team.

The season began on Saturday 21 September 2013, when Pune defeated Mohammedan 3–1 at the Salt Lake Stadium. The season is due to conclude on Saturday, 17 May 2014.

Before the season began, on 20 September 2013, it was announced that the largest cellular service provider in India, Airtel, would be the title sponsor for the I-League during the 2013–14 season.

Teams
A total of 13 teams are currently registered to start the new season — ten clubs from the previous campaign, two promoted sides from the I-League 2nd Division and one new expansion team. Meanwhile, one club from the previous campaign was relegated while two others were expelled and another shut down.

Rangdajied United as champions and Mohammedan as runners-up secured direct promotion from the 2013 I-League 2nd Division while Bengaluru FC gained entry into the I-League directly after formation.

United Sikkim and Air India were relegated, however, Air India would have been expelled from the league regardless as the club would not have been given a licence to compete in this edition after failing to fulfill the AFC licensing criteria. This same fate happened to ONGC who have also been left out of the coming season due to failing to fulfill the AFC licensing criteria.

The Mumbai Tigers were also accepted into the I-League on 27 May 2013 but later withdrew citing unavoidable circumstances with only 20 days left untill the start of the new season.

On 29 August 2013, the All India Football Federation decided to shut down the Pailan Arrows and withdrew them from the coming season citing financial reasons for why they shut down.

Personnel and kits
Note: Flags indicate national team as has been defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

Foreign players
Keeping to the usual rules in AFC coutries, the I-League allows teams to only have a maximum of four foreigners on their team in which one must be Asian. Each team is allowed to play all four foreigners on the pitch at once if they want.

Scoring

 * First goal of the season: Josimar for Mohammedan against Pune on 21 September 2013.
 * Fastest goal of the season:
 * David Ngaihte for Rangdajied United against Salgaocar on 5 November 2013 after 2 minutes.
 * Abdelhamid Shabana for Churchill Brothers against Sporting Goa on 29 November 2013 after 2 minutes.

Top goalkeepers
(Minimum 1000 minutes played)