Premier League sides to be allowed FIVE substitutions per game
- Discussion made at heads’ meeting on Thursday
- Premier League set to restart on June 17
- Mental Health and Psychosocial considerations during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Premier League approved plans for clubs to use five substitutes during the matches when the season restarts.
Premier League clubs had suggested to have the number of substitutions increased from the standard three.
This was based on fear that players would suffer burnout, injuries and fatigue as the crunch of fixtures set when the season resumes.
Premier League football was suspended back in March when Arsenal Manager Mikel Arteta and Chelsea forward Callum Hudson-Odoi tested positive for Covid-19 – the two have since recovered.
Three months later, the season is set to resume on June 17 and the fixture schedule will be packed with some teams since competing in European competitions and domestic competitions- FA Cup.
The decision by the Premier League heads approved the five substitute’s 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.
The decision came after Chelsea submitted a formal proposal to the Premier League to increase the maximum number of substitutes permitted on the bench from seven to nine for the remainder of the season.
The 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.
