Premier League to allow five subs

Premier League clubs will be permitted to use up to five substitutes during the remainder of the 2019/20 season, after the Premier League released the following statement.

'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'

This change was widely expected and the purpose of the change is to help manage the workload of players who are returning to action after the suspension of the Premier League due to the coronavirus pandemic, and who are likely to have very little further break before the 2020-21 campaign begins.

JB