Indian Super League 2020-21

11. Accreditation

The League will operate an Accreditation system to ensure that all Clubs and League personnel
are allowed access to ISL Stadiums, as required. On Match Days, access to ISL Stadiums will
strictly be only with a valid ISL Accreditation card and a Green Status on the ISL Health Passport.
The Accreditation card will help the League management and Security to identify the card holder’s
job function and identify access areas within each ISL Stadium.

11.1 Who will be Accredited?

a) Teams, Match Officials, and all personnel who require access to the Stadium for a
scheduled ISL Match
b) Media personnel – reporters, photographers and cameramen will be accredited by applying
for ISL media accreditation through the media accreditation online portal.
c) An Accreditation card is for working personnel only. Access is defined based on the
job role and does not entitle the holder to a seat in the stands or Delegate Area.
d) The League will allocate the required number of Central Accreditation and Local
Accreditation cards to agencies appointed in order to perform their role at each Stadium.
The final number will be decided by the League based on the scope of services to be
provided by each agency appointed by the League.

11.1.1 Scope of Accreditation

On Match Day (MD), apart from the official ISL Accreditation card produced by the League no
other form of Accreditation or membership pass will be valid at any Stadium.

The cards grant access only to ISL Stadiums and will not be valid for any other official League or
Club events such as official dinners, parties or promotional events.

The Central Accreditation Team shall work with the Accreditation agency appointed by them and
the respective Venue Team to:

Section 14 – Accreditation Page 1 of 15

for mdrafik@kbfcofficial.com
 a) inform the local police / law enforcement agencies about the Accreditation policies to
ensure that all process comply with local laws and guidelines
b) compile a list of all persons who will require Central Accreditation and Local
Accreditation.
c) set up a meeting prior to the implementation of Accreditation system, with the local
police to get the process approved.

11.1.2 Accreditation Access Zones

The League will operate a numbered zoning system and every card holder will have an option to
choose for their access areas based on their job roles from the below predefined Zones:

Zone 1 – Field Of Play (FOP)

Zone 2 – Competition Area
Zone 3 – Delegate Area
Zone 4 – Media (includes Media Tribune, Press Conference Room)
Zone 5 – Broadcast
Zone 6 – General Access
Zone 7 – Concourse

11.1.3 Activation of Accreditation

As mentioned under 11.1.1 Accreditation is mandatory on Match Day (MD).

Access, as per Zones mentioned on the Accreditation card will be valid only on MD. Accredited
staff will be allowed to access only those Zones mentioned on their cards. A Supplementary Access
Device (SAD), which will be produced and distributed by the League on respective Match Days,
will be required to enter the Competition Area from two and a half hours before kick-off until the
Teams leave the Stadium. Similar to the Competition Area, an SAD will be required for access to
Field of Play, which will be produced and distributed by the League on respective Match Days,
will be valid from two and a half hours before kick-off until the end of the Post Match Presentation
or after the player cool down session, whichever is later.

The ISL Accreditation will be activated and implemented as per the below timeline on Match
Days:

Access to Stadium All day

Zones activated All day for FOP and Competition Area
SADs activated 2.5 hours before kick-off
FOP SADs de-activated After Post Match Presentation and/or
after player cool down whichever is
later
Competition Area SAD de- After last Team or Match Official
activated leaves the Stadium, whichever is later

Section 14 – Accreditation Page 2 of 15

for mdrafik@kbfcofficial.com
 Zones de-activated After last Team or Match Official
leaves the Stadium, whichever is later

Players who are not listed in the Team Sheet shall not be allowed to travel to the Stadium and their
Accreditation must be submitted by the respective Team Manager to the Match Commissioner
upon arrival at the Stadium. However, exceptions can be made on a case-by-case basis as per
League’s discretion and approval

A maximum of two (2) Club Owners from both Home Club and Away Club, will be granted access
to the Delegate area at the Stadium. They will be seated in a separate section away from any other
Club Tier 1 and Tier 3 staff who have come as a Delegate for the Match. No club owner will be
allowed access to Field of Play and Competition Area at any point on Match Day.

Any Tier 3 agency involved with implementation in Zone 1 and Zone 2 would get access to these
areas only until the SADs are activated/sanitization of these areas is done, whichever is earlier.
Access to these areas after this would be subject to the League’s approval and will be temporarily
given via and issued SAD.

11.2 Personnel & Facilities

a) The League shall put in place an Accreditation team with required personnel (“Central
Accreditation Managers”), and “Venue Team” at each Stadium.
b) The Home club shall provide a point of contact to liaise with their suppliers, and League
Accreditation team.

11.3 Operations

11.3.1 Accreditation Card Types

There will be 2 types of Accreditation cards used for ISL matches:

CENTRAL – Valid for all Matches at all 3 Stadiums and produced by the League at their cost.

LOCAL – Valid for all Matches at each respective Stadium (or multiple Stadiums depending on
scope of work) and produced by the League at their cost.

In addition to above, Supplementary Access Devices (SAD) will be produced by the League and
will be issued only for temporary access in case of emergencies. These SADs must be returned to
the Venue Team after every Match.

a) Central Accreditation
 Central Accreditation cards are valid for Matches at all three (3) Stadiums. These will
be issued to staff who travel to different Stadiums during the Season.
 Central Accreditation cards are narrow, plastic photo cards with a unique barcode.
Central Accreditation cards will have details such as full name, company, designation
and Zone access permitted for the card holder.

Section 14 – Accreditation Page 3 of 15

for mdrafik@kbfcofficial.com
  Central Accreditation cards are Color coded based on the job role, however, access will
be defined based on Zone allocation and as printed on the cards, of the respective card
holder.
 The table on the following page shows the different categories / job roles and Colors
of Central Accreditation Cards, the type of card holders, and access areas defined by
the Zones.
 Central Accreditation cards will be printed by the Central Accreditation Team.
 Please note that only those with Team and Match Official Accreditation cards with
access to Zone – 2 are allowed access to the Competition Area during the activation of
zones (please refer to 11.1.3. for more information about zonal activation time). For all
other Central Accreditation card holders requiring access, an SAD must be worn as part
of the staff’s Accreditation to access the Competition Area; these cards will be
produced, approved and distributed by the League in advance of the tournament. The
Venue Team shall provide temporary SAD cards to facilitate any emergency access
required for any specific job on Match Days.
 On MD, the Field of Play can be accessed by individuals with access to Zone – 1 printed
on their Accreditation card. However, from 2.5 hrs. Prior to the kick-off time until the
completion of the Post-Match Presentation, a SAD (wristband) will be required for all
individuals requiring access to the Field of Play in addition to their accreditation card.
The only exceptions to this process are the following:

o Players (with Team Accreditation card and whose names appear on the submitted
Team Sheet)
o Referees (with Match Officials Accreditation card)
o Official League and Media Photographers & ISL Digital Team wearing an official
bib produced and distributed by the League, along with their Accreditation.
o Medical Staff & Doping Control Staff wearing an official staff bib produced and
distributed by the League for each of these departments, along with their
Accreditation.

 Please note media photographers are permitted pitch access only in the designated
photographer area
 Central Accreditation cards do not allow the holder to sit or eat/drink within the
Delegate Area or Stands and should be used to access these areas only if the holder has
a working role.

Section 14 – Accreditation Page 4 of 15

for mdrafik@kbfcofficial.com
 Central Accreditation Card Types

Section 14 – Accreditation Page 5 of 15

for mdrafik@kbfcofficial.com
 Indian Super League – Central Accreditation Cards

Permitted Zones
Card Colour Category Card Holder 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
FOP Competition Area Delegate Area Media Broadcast General Access Concourse
Red Team Players ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔
Support Staff ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔
Match Official Match Commissioner ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔
Referee Assessor ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔
Referees/Asst Referees ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔
Blue League Management League Staff ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔
League Integrity Officers ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔
League Implementation Official Photographer ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔
League Digital Agency ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔
League PR Agency ✔ ✕ ✕ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔
League Security Agency ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔
Orange League Implementation Club Management Staff ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔
Club Operations Staff ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔
Club Photographer ✔ ✕ ✔ ✕ ✕ ✔ ✔
Club Videographer ✔ ✕ ✔ ✕ ✕ ✔ ✔
Club Digital Reporter ✕ ✕ ✕ ✔ ✕ ✕ ✔
League Partner League Sponsor Staff ✕ ✕ ✔ ✕ ✕ ✔ ✔
Light Green League Implementation Club Tier 3 Staff ✕ ✕ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔
Metallic Gold Owner League Owner ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔
Metallic Silver Owner Club Owner ✕ ✕ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔
League Partner League Sponsor Management ✕ ✕ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔
Turquoise AIFF AIFF Officials ✕ ✕ ✔ ✔ ✕ ✔ ✔
Pink Service Provider League Branding Agency ✔ ✕ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔
League LED Board Supplier ✔ ✕ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔
Dark Green Photographer Media Photographers ✔ ✕ ✕ ✔ ✕ ✔ ✔
Black PSO Club and League Owner Security ✕ ✕ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔
Purple Broadcast Host Broadcast (IMG Reliance) ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔
Rights Holder (Star) ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔
Brown Electronic Cameraperson Cameraperson ✕ ✕ ✕ ✔ ✕ ✕ ✔
Reporter Press ✕ ✕ ✕ ✔ ✕ ✕ ✔

Section 14 – Accreditation Page 6 of 15

for mdrafik@kbfcofficial.com
 b) Local Accreditation
 Local Accreditation cards are valid for all Matches for a specific Stadium or multiple
Stadiums depending on the personnel’s scope of work. These will be produced and
issued by the League, to all staff and suppliers working throughout the tournament at
the respective Stadium.
 Local Accreditation cards will have details like full name of the cardholder, company,
designation and permitted Zones of the Stadium that the respective cardholder can
access clearly printed on the front of the card. Individuals will only be allowed access
to those zones where they are working; please refer to section 11.1.3 for more
information on timeline for the zonal activation of accreditations.
 Local Accreditation cards will also mention the Stadium that the staff can access. Any
staff or personnel who does not have access to the respective Stadium will be denied
access. This is also applicable for all Home Club staff at any other Stadium
 Local Accreditation cards are Color coded according to job function however, access
will be defined based on Zone allocation, and as printed on the card of the respective
staff.
 The Local Accreditation card table shows the different categories/job functions and
Colors of Local Accreditation cards, as well as the type of card holders and the access
areas defined by the Zones.
 A supplementary access device (SAD) will be required for all Zone 1 and 2
Accreditations from 2.5 hours prior to the match kick-off until the last Team or Match
Official leaves the stadium.
 Local Accreditation cards do not allow the holder to sit or eat / drink within the
Delegate Area or Stands and can only be used to access these areas if the holder has a
working role.

Section 14 – Accreditation Page 7 of 15

for mdrafik@kbfcofficial.com
 Local Card Types & Color Specifications

Section 14 – Accreditation Page 8 of 15

for mdrafik@kbfcofficial.com
 Indian Super League – Local Accreditation Cards

Permitted Zones
Card Colour Category Card Holder 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
FOP Competition Area Delegate Area Media Broadcast Offices Concourse
Blue League Implementation League PR Agency ✔ ✕ ✔ ✔ ✕ ✔ ✔
League Staff (if any) ✔ ✕ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔
Orange League Implementation Club Management Staff ✕ ✕ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔
Club Operations Staff ✕ ✕ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔
Club Sponsor Management ✕ ✕ ✔ ✕ ✕ ✔ ✔
League Sponsor Management ✕ ✕ ✔ ✕ ✕ ✔ ✔
Turquoise Stadium Management Senior Stadium Officials ✕ ✕ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔
Pink Housekeeping/Maintenance ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔
Ball Boys ✔ ✕ ✕ ✕ ✕ ✔ ✔
Ground Staff ✔ ✕ ✕ ✕ ✕ ✔ ✔
Branding Staff ✕ ✕ ✔ ✔ ✕ ✔ ✔
Sponsor Servicing Staff ✕ ✕ ✕ ✕ ✕ ✔ ✔
Black Security Security Guards/Bouncers ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔
Emergency Services Hospital Staff ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔
White with Green Cross Ambulance Staff ✕ ✕ ✕ ✕ ✕ ✔ ✔
Fire Brigade ✕ ✕ ✕ ✕ ✕ ✔ ✔
Purple Broadcast Local Broadcast Runners ✔ ✕ ✔ ✕ ✔ ✔ ✔
Local Production Crew ✔ ✕ ✔ ✕ ✔ ✔ ✔

Section 14 – Accreditation Page 9 of 15

for mdrafik@kbfcofficial.com
 11.3.2 Supplementary Access Device (SAD)
All accredited staff must wear their SAD at all times from the time they arrive at the Stadium
on Match day
a) Access to Field of Play (FOP)
Supplementary Access Devices will be used in the following forms which will be produced and
distributed by the League:

Device Description
Wristband Issued to individuals that required FOP access
from two and a half hours prior to kick-off until
the completion of the Post-Match Presentation
or player cool down session, whichever is
later.

Media Photographer’s bib Issued to the media photographers that

Official Photographer’s bib
Central Digital Team bib
Medical and Doping Control bib
required FOP access
Issued to the ISL photographers requiring
access to the FOP (different color from that of
the Media Photographer’s bib)
Issued to one member of the Central Digital
Team that requires access to the FOP (bib is
the same color as that of the official
photographer)
Issued to the medical and doping control staff
that may require access to the FOP

The team video analyst will be issued an official video analyst bib for identification purposes only.
This individual is NOT permitted on the FOP at any time. Access to the agreed area for the team
analyst will be provided only if they wear the provided bib in addition to their accreditation. This
bib will be handed over by the respective Venue Team, upon receipt of the Form 5

From two and a half hours prior to Match kick-off until the completion of the Post-Match
Presentation or player cool down session, whichever is later, a wristband must be worn by all
individuals in order to access the Field of Play. The following groups however are not required
to wear a wristband:

 Players that are listed on the Team Sheet. However, Team Officials listed on the Officials
List must wear a wristband. The wristbands need to be collected from the Match
Commissioner upon arrival at the Player-drop off area post submission of the Player and
Official Selection List and should be worn by the Team Officials to access the FOP
immediately thereon.
 Match Officials
 Official League and media photographers (Must wear official bib and Accreditation)
 ISL Digital Team (Must wear official bib and Accreditation)

Section 14 – Accreditation Page 10 of 15

for mdrafik@kbfcofficial.com
  Medical Staff & Doping Control Staff (Must wear official bib and Accreditation) However,
Medical staff in ambulances on the FOP must wear a wristband

A wristband is only valid for the specific Match mentioned on it.

All wristbands will be distributed by the respective Venue Team on Match Days.

b) Access to Team Bench

Only eleven (11) Players will be allowed to access the Field of Play during a Match. In addition to
this, up to nine (9) Players (substitutes) and up to eleven (11) Team Officials are allowed access
to the Team Bench.

These Players and Team Officials must have a valid Team Accreditation. An SAD is required only
for the Team Officials mentioned on the Officials List.

c) Access to Competition Area

The Competition Area includes the Player Dressing Rooms, Match Officials’ rooms, Player
Medical Room (only applicable for Stadiums where Medical Room is located in this area), etc.
Headshot photos will also be placed as per the access control plan at each Stadium in the
Competition Area.

An SAD will be issued to an individual who requires access to the Competition Area in case of an
emergency and does not have access to Zone 2 on their Accreditation card. These will be generic
cards, which will be issued on a need basis. This SAD is to be worn alongside the ISL central or
local accreditation card.

There will be clear signage at the entrances to the Competition Area displaying both the
Accreditation card type as well as the accessible:

 Red central team card with Zone 2

 Red central Match Official card with Zone 2
 Competition Area SAD along with their ISL Central or Local Accreditation card

Section 14 – Accreditation Page 11 of 15

for mdrafik@kbfcofficial.com
 d) Access for the Final

 Central Accreditation
A supplementary device in the form of a sticker will be added to the Central Accreditation cards
of those individuals who require Stadium access during the ISL Final. Any individual not requiring
access during the Final will have their Accreditation cancelled.

 Local Accreditation
New Local Accreditation cards will be produced and distributed for the final Match by the League.
All Local Accreditation cards used during ISL Matches prior to the Final will not be valid.

e) Photographer Bibs
Procedure followed during the League stage will continue

f) Signage

Accreditation signage will be placed on all main entrance gates showing samples of the official
ISL Central and Local Accreditation cards. The League will produce all Accreditation signage.

Signage will be placed at each entrance to the Field of Play showing the Accreditation cards with
relevant Zone number that have approved access. Additional signs will also be placed at the
entrances showing the SADs that are required to access the Field of Play from two and a half hours
prior to the start of the Match until the completion of the Post-Match Presentation. These signs
will show an image of the photographer’s bib and medical/doping control bib and will also show
a sample of the wristband color for each respective match.

Signage will also be placed at each entrance to the Competition Area showing the Accreditation
cards with relevant Zone number and SAD cards that have approved access. ‘No Communication
Devices’ signage, integrity signage and headshot boards of Players and Team Officials will also
be placed at each entrance.

Section 14 – Accreditation Page 12 of 15

for mdrafik@kbfcofficial.com
 Signage will also be placed at entrances to Delegate Areas, Media Center and Broadcast Control
Room clearly showing the Accreditation cards displaying the Zone number(s) which are permitted
access.

11.3.3 Accreditation Application Process

All Accreditation applications must be made via an online portal and each Club will be given a
unique login ID and password to upload all applications.

All Central Accreditation applications must be submitted before 10th November 2020. Central
Accreditation cards will be approved and printed by the Central Accreditation Team and will be
available for collection from 12th November onwards.

Local Accreditation cards will be approved and printed by the League. The League Accreditation
Team will liaise with the Club point of contact for Accreditation to advice on collection dates.

a) Application for Central/Local Accreditation

For Central/Local Accreditation, companies / personnel are required to apply through the ISL
online application system.
 The ISL Central Accreditation Team will generate a unique username and password
for all companies / personnel.
 The League will fix a pre-determined quota for all companies. Once the quota for each
applicant has been exhausted, no further applications will be accepted unless and until
the League approves an additional quota, which will be updated in the online system.
 The applicant must accept the general Accreditation terms & conditions before
applying. If a company is applying for multiple staff Accreditations, the nominated
applicant from the company must accept the terms & conditions on behalf of all
applicants.
 The applicant will need to fill in the required application online and upload an ID proof
and a photograph for each individual.
 Applications will be approved at the League’s discretion.
 The League retains the right to approve or reject all Accreditation applications and
requested access areas
 If the application is approved, the ISL Central Accreditation Team will advise on the
collection process
 The nominated person collecting the Accreditation cards will be required sign off on
receipt of the cards
 For Local Accreditation, the personnel will need to select the relevant Stadium (in case
an one agency is required at multiple Stadiums)

Section 14 – Accreditation Page 13 of 15

for mdrafik@kbfcofficial.com
 11.3.4 Implementing the Accreditation System
Access to the Stadium on Match Day will depend on the status of the personnel on the ISL Health
Passport. In the event an individual who required access is experiencing COVID-19 symptoms
or other related red flags have been identified, that person will be denied entry to the Stadium
During the initial stages leading up to the start of the Season, some personnel (non Match Day
access only) will be granted access to the Stadium only if their ISL Health Passport show their
status as green (clear).

11.3.5 Media Accreditation

Reporters, photographers and electronic camerapersons will be required to apply for ISL media
Accreditation through the media Accreditation online portal. The media Accreditations will be
issued at the discretion of the League.

Please refer to the ISL media Accreditation guidelines and terms & conditions for further
information.

11.3.6 Lost or Stolen Accreditation Cards

Loss of any Central Accreditation card must be reported by email to the ISL Central Accreditation
Team at least 48 hours prior to the Club’s next match. In case the Club fails to report lost or stolen
Accreditation within this timeline, the League will use strive to provide the card to the
Player/Team Official prior to the Match. A fee of INR 5,000 will be levied on the Club for any
lost or stolen Central/Local Accreditation.

A police report, supported by a sworn affidavit, may be required for anyone having lost / misplaced
their card. Details will be taken by the Home Club or ISL Venue Team who will make the
decision as to whether the card can be re-issued.

11.3.7 Venue Accreditation Centers and Staffing

Each of the three (3) ISL Stadiums shall have the following staff structure:
a) One manager from the agency appointed by the League
b) One assistant from the agency appointed by the League
In addition, there will be a back-end team at the accreditation agency headquarters to support all
production, IT and database management for all Local Accreditation cards. Similar arrangements
will be made by the League for all Central Accreditations.

Stadium accreditation Centers shall be operational approximately 15 days prior to the first game
at each respective Stadium and will be open from 9:30am to 6:30pm daily. The location of each
accreditation Center will be Stadium specific.

In addition, the League will have a Central Accreditation team who will manage Central
Accreditation and Local Accreditation system at all 3 Stadiums as and when required.

The League will also have central League media managers who will manage all media
Accreditation for the ISL.

Section 14 – Accreditation Page 14 of 15

for mdrafik@kbfcofficial.com
 11.4 Terms & Conditions
Please refer to the ‘Accreditation Terms & Conditions’ and the ‘Accreditation Terms and
Conditions for Media’.

These must be accepted by the applicant before an accreditation application can be submitted. For
companies submitting multiple applications, the nominated person from each company will accept
the terms and conditions on behalf of all applicants for that company.

11.5 Timelines
 30th October 2020 – Central Accreditation online application begins
 10th November 2020 – Final deadline for all Central Accreditation applications
 12th November 2020 – Central Accreditation distribution begins
 Local Accreditation application process begins on 1st November
 Final deadline for all Local Accreditation applications will be 14th November
 Local Accreditation Distribution begins from five days before the first game in each
respective Stadium

Section 14 – Accreditation Page 15 of 15

for mdrafik@kbfcofficial.com