Premier League sides WILL be allowed five substitutions per game when football returns
The Premier League have approved plans for clubs to use five substitutes during matches when the season resumes.
Furthermore, following Thursday’s crunch meeting as Project Restart continues to ramp up, clubs have put off any decision on curtailment unless a second shutdown is needed.
Clubs are gearing up for the Premier League’s long-awaited return on June 17, when Aston Villa vs Sheffield United and Manchester City vs Arsenal kick us off following football’s suspension.
Premier League executives met once again on Thursday to discuss Project Restart plans
Premier League clubs will be allowed to use five substitutions per game when season restarts
There will also be nine substitutes on the bench after the rule change was voted through
And now following Thursday’s shareholders meetings, English top-flight clubs have approved the five substitutes proposals – with changes only being allowed in three spells, which has always been the case.
Premier League clubs will also be allowed nine substitutes on the bench when fixtures recommence in just under two weeks time.
The news comes after Chelsea submitted a formal proposal to the Premier League to increase the maximum number of subs permitted on the bench from seven to nine for the remainder of the season.
Chelsea’s request to increase the number of substitute options available to managers stemmed from concerns about the greater risk of injuries following a lengthy break and the prospect of cramming nine matches into a six-week period.
The clubs voted 16-4 in favour of an increase to five subs at Thursday’s meeting, which took place via conference call. It is understood Aston Villa, Sheffield United, Bournemouth and West Ham voted against the change.
The latest meeting lasted just under three hours as the 20 clubs edge ever closer to returning to their duties following the suspension at the beginning of March.
Premier League clubs are edging ever closer to football’s long-awaited return on June 17
Harry Kane and his Tottenham team-mates have been back in training for weeks now
While there remains contentious issues over how standings should be decided if the season can’t be played to a close due to a second outbreak of coronavirus, clubs opted to avoid discussion over curtailment.
With the restart now just 13 days away, and only 13 positive tests from 5079 samples over the past three weeks, there was confidence amongst the clubs that the season will be finished by the end of July.
And rather than go to a vote over the issue of curtailment, clubs decided to put the situation to one side.
The Premier League’s preferred method had been a points-per-game system with the bottom three clubs relegated but not all teams have been on board with this proposal.
Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City side are back in action first against Arsenal on June 17
The use of neutral venues have also been up for discussion with police officials and the Premier League disagreeing with the amount of games that need to be moved away from their intended location.
Some other rule changes, including a multi-ball system and re-registering players, were also part of the agenda.
There was still no finalised fixture list going into Thursday’s meeting as well, with clubs still unsure over what dates their matches would be on. Clubs want 48 hours between games, which will take place over six weekends and three mid-week rounds.
Knowing the fixtures is also important as teams try and navigate through issues with travel and accommodation due to the ongoing public health situation.
On Thursday, clubs put off any decision on curtailment unless a second shutdown is needed
