Premier League clubs vote to use new five subs rule, but only three interchanges

June 5 – Premier League teams are adopting the five substitutes rule when fixtures resume later this month after approving the new guidelines.

Clubs voted to increase the number of changes allowed in each match from three in a move designed to help fixture congestion caused by Covid-19.

Managers will be able to have nine substitutes on the bench in the 92 games that remain to be played in empty stadiums, up from the usual seven.

“This is in line with the temporary law amendment made by the International Football Association Board last month,” said a Premier League statement.

An announcement of the first few rounds of fixtures since the campaign was halted by coronavirus on March 13 is expected in the next 24 hours.

Though teams can now make five substitutions, there will only be three opportunities to make changes throughout the match in order to minimise disruption and time-wasting.

The Bundesliga has already introduced the five subs rule and LaLiga will bring it in once it restarts. Serie A has still to decide but will likely follow suit.

Clubs have also agreed in principle to the use of neutral venues if required, although the vast majority of matches are expected to be played in their usual grounds, barring local spikes in coronavirus cases.

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