The International Football Association Board (IFAB) have agreed to increase the number of substitutes available to clubs to five, if and when the football season resumes.
The increase int he number of substitutions allowed is for all competitions “scheduled to be completed by December 31st”, an extension in to 2021 hasn’t been ruled out.
With the EFL looking to agree a ‘weighted points per game’ scenario this week the extra substitutes are unlikely to affect any of Swindon Town’s games, unless it was extended.
“For competitions which have either started or are intended to start, but are scheduled to be completed by 31 December 2020, the IFAB has approved FIFA’s proposal to introduce a temporary amendment to Law 3 – The Players, which will allow for a maximum of five substitutes to be made per team,” a statement read.
“However, to avoid disruption to the game, each team will only have three opportunities to make substitutions; substitutions may also be made at half-time.
“The temporary amendment comes into force with immediate effect, and has been made as matches may be played in a condensed period in different weather conditions, both of which could have impacts on player welfare.
“The decision on whether to apply this temporary amendment will remain at the discretion of each individual competition organiser, while The IFAB and FIFA will determine at a later stage whether this temporary amendment would need to be extended further.”
