As featured on NewsNow: Football news

​Fifa extends five substitutes rule into next season

Teams will be able to make five substitutions in a match until the end of the 2020-21 season after Fifa chose to extend the use of the rule, reports BBC Sport.

World football's governing body says it is now up to individual leagues and competitions to decide if they wish to continue allowing five substitutions.

The rule can be used until August 2021, meaning the European Championships and Copa America can adopt it next summer.

Fifa said "player welfare" was pivotal in its decision to keep the rule.

"Some competitions which resumed in 2020 may have a shorter-than-usual recovery/preparation period before the start of their next season," Fifa said.

"For many competitions, the 2020-21 season will involve matches being played in a condensed period due to a delayed start and the inability to end later than usual because of major international tournaments."

Video of the day:

×

Subscribe and go ad-free

For only $10 a year

  1. Go Ad-Free
  2. Faster site experience
  3. Support great writing
  4. Subscribe now
Launch Offer: 2 months free
×

Subscribe and go ad-free

For only $10 a year

Subscribe now
Launch Offer: 2 months free