The Premier League have announced that the five substitutes rule has been scrapped ahead of the 2020/21 season, with 11 of 20 top flight clubs voting in favour of returning back to three.
Drinks breaks in each quarter of the game will also be shown the door, meaning the two rules originally introduced to help teams cope following the coronavirus pandemic will be no more moving into the new season.
A bold move has been taken regarding VAR, with the Premier League now moving in line with ‘the full FIFA protocol’, meaning increased use of pitchside montiors which will be used for subjective decisions on goals, red cards, penalty kicks.
For me this is a much needed decision on all fronts, allowing common sense prevail.
The decisions came at the Premier League’s annual general meeting, which consists of directors from all 20 clubs in the league to discuss rule changes or concerns ahead of a new season.
Any changes must be passed by a minimum of 14 clubs. It’s said Chelsea and several other ‘big six’ clubs were pushing to KEEP the five-sub rule, however 11 of the 20 top flight sides said no. With this in mind, clubs will only be able to name seven substitutes on their bench, not nine.
It’s hardly surprising that the big guns wanted the five-sub rule to remain in place, with the likes of Man City, Liverpool and Chelsea having an embarrassment of riches and several top players to call on from the bench – something the likes of Newcastle United couldn’t benefit from.
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