English FA Approves Five Substitutes Ahead Of League Resumption

The English Premier League has stated that clubs will henceforth be able to make five substitutions when the top flight resumes later this month.

The decision was agreed on Thursday during Premier League meeting at which representatives from all 20 clubs were present.

Teams will be able to name nine subs for games meaning that matchday squads will increase to 20 players.

Today’s meeting is also discussing the a fixture blueprint as well as what to do if the season cannot be completed and the prospect of neutral venues for certain games.

Under FIFA’s rules, teams will still only be limited to three opportunities to make these substitutions. That means any manager wishing to use all five subs will have to make two double substitutions followed by a single change.

A Premier League statement read: “Premier League Shareholders today agreed temporary changes to the rules relating to substitute players.

“For the remainder of the 2019/20 season, the number of substitutes used during a match will increase from three to five players.

“This is in line with the temporary law amendment made by the International Football Association Board last month.

“Shareholders also approved for clubs to increase the maximum number of substitute players on the bench from seven to nine for the rest of the 2019/20 season.”