April 1 – English Premier League clubs will be able to make five substitutions in each game from next season after shareholders agreed to change the rules.
The switch to five subs – up from three – brings the Premier League into line with other major European footballing nations.
The substitutions can be made on three occasions during a game, plus at halftime, and clubs can name nine subs in total on their team sheet.
All top-flight clubs were allowed to increase the number of subs during the 2019-20 campaign when the league restarted after a three-month break due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Football’s law-making body – The International FA Board (IFAB) – last October recommended making the rule permanent but the Premier League was the only top league in Europe to abandon the change and stick with three subs for the compressed 2020-21 season, despite concerns about player fatigue.
Some clubs felt it gave those with bigger squads an unfair advantage so nothing changed for the current season, although five substitutes have been allowed in FA Cup matches.
The Premier League is also removing twice-weekly covid testing of players and staff from April 4 and move to symptomatic testing only.
A Premier League statement said: “The wellbeing of players and staff remains a priority and the Premier League will continue to monitor the national Covid-19 situation and adapt league-wide protocols as required, in line with the latest guidance from public health authorities and medical experts.”
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