Advertisement

Premier League vote against using five substitutes during 2020-21 season

Getty Images
Getty Images

Premier League clubs have voted down the proposal to continue the use of five substitutes into the new season - returning to the traditional rule of three.

Ahead of Project Restart, it was voted through 16 clubs to four that the use of five substitutes should be introduced in order to reduce the risk of injury with such a tight schedule.

However, with the season now complete, the ruling - despite Ifab's allowance for it to continue should leagues wish - will return to normal.

Many of the bigger clubs, lead by Chelsea, were in favour of maintaining the rule, along with 20-man matchday squads, though they will again fall back to 18 players.

It is understood 11 of the Premier League clubs, including Crystal Palace and West Ham, voted against the continuation of the rule during the meeting, where newly promoted Leeds United, West Brom and Fulham were all represented.

A decision on VAR implementation was also made at Thursday's AGM. (Getty Images)
A decision on VAR implementation was also made at Thursday's AGM. (Getty Images)

Premier League rules dictate that a majority of 14 must vote in favour of a change to allow it to pass.

Meanwhile, clubs also voted to continue with the use of VAR, adopting Fifa's guidelines on its implementation, which will see a number of changes for the new season.

Premier League officials will be encouraged to consult pitchside monitors more regularly where a decision is to be made on goals, red cards and penalties. There will be no tolerance on offside callings, meaning calls such as those against Raheem Sterling and John Lundstram last season are here to stay.

Furthermore, there will now be no leniency when it comes to goalkeepers staying on their line for penalties and players encroaching. Should a keeper set away from their line, the penalty will be retaken. The Premier League had previously decided against implementing this ruling in its strictest of forms.