Premier League confirms five substitutions per team in games from next season after calls from top bosses
A meeting of shareholders was held on Thursday where a number of important issues were brought up for discussion, among them the return of the 5 substitutions rule, a change in the transfer window and also the simplification of the covid rules.
The teams in the league have agreed on the reinstatement of the 5 substitutions rule from the 2022/2023 season. At the third meeting of 20 clubs where this issue was raised – the majority finally voted to implement the FIFA law on the permanent basis . It was introduced in May 2020 as the emergancy measure when the season was resumed after the lockdown caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
The Premier League said in a statement:
“Premier League Shareholders met today and discussed a range of matters. Clubs agreed to change the rules relating to substitute players. From next season, clubs will be permitted to use five substitutions, to be made on three occasions during a match, with an additional opportunity at half-time. A total of nine substitutes can be named on the team sheet.”
Liverpool, like other clubs, had an injury crisis mixed with another wave of Covid in the winter, many matches were cancelled and some teams were forced to field reserve players, it forced everyone to reconsider an old problem.
“The decision needs 14 votes to change it and that’s something wrong. What we realised again in the managers meeting – and we know it has always been like that – is how 14 clubs make the decision to change. We have to put competition aside.”
said the German after one of the meetings.
“Five substitutes is the right decision, especially in this moment, because you bring players back in this moment, after COVID infection or an injury, and because of the games they have to play you risk injury and they have to go out again, maybe after 60 minutes. That is a real problem. This wonderful game is so wonderful because usually the players on the pitch are in good shape, are well trained, are well recovered and go for it. That is why we love the game. Now the situation is much more difficult.”
said Jürgen referring to the injury crisis this winter.
“How many games does a top-class player play? With the league, some cup games, Champions League, internationals – it’s 50 games or more. The further you go the harder it is on players. You need luck in these moments and you should not need luck. We do not stop discussing it because if we don’t discuss it, it just stays like this.”
“It cannot be that we don’t do it because some clubs think it will be an advantage for the bigger clubs. It’s not about an advantage, it’s about the game. You keep the players in a better place, you would get much less injuries, definitely, over the years – we will see that if we finally introduce it. That’s why we need five subs, I tell you. We need five subs.”
Brighton & Hove Albion FC manager Graham Potter was against making the change when it was first authorised but said the brief experience of using the rule during Project Restart in 2020 was positive.
“I enjoyed it as a coach when we first had it. It could be an exciting addition. It brings a bit more hope and opportunity to everyone in the squad.”
Leicester City manager Brendan Rodgers is among the first to have been quizzed on the changes, with the Foxes boss saying:
“Certainly having experienced it, I’m very much in favour of it. At the beginning I was in favour of three, but having had a look at it, primarily for the health of the players, five works much better.”
How many times each Premier League club used five subs in Project Restart:
| Brighton and Hove Albion | 8 |
| Liverpool | 7 |
| Bournemouth, Norwich City | 6 |
| Manchester United, Arsenal | 5 |
| Manchester City, Newcastle United, Everton | 4 |
| Leicester City | 3 |
| Chelsea | 2 |
| Wolves, Southampton, West Ham, Aston Villa, Watford | 1 |
| Tottenham Hotspur, Sheffield United, Burnley, Crystal Palace | 0 |
Judging by the details above, the clubs from the bottom ten of the EPL were quite active in using all substitutions, ahead of most of the teams from the top 6.
The clubs have also confirmed the terms of the summer transfer window. It will open on June 10 and close on September 1.
In addition, the Premier League updated the remaining COVID-19 measures today. From 4 April, the league will abolish twice-weekly player and staff testing for COVID-19 as it returns to normal operations.
“From 4 April, the League will remove twice-weekly COVID-19 testing of players and staff and move to symptomatic testing only. Other key updates include the removal of the requirement for clinical passports to access previously restricted areas at training grounds and on match days as the Premier League returns to business-as-usual operations. 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.”
a Premier League statement said.
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