Football teams will be allowed to use five substitutes when play resumes after the coronavirus pandemic, the sport's law-making body announced on Friday.

The International Football Association Board (IFAB) said in as statement that it had agreed to a proposal by world governing body FIFA for a temporary change to the rules "to protect player welfare".

Teams face likely fixture congestion in a packed calendar as they attempt to make up for lost time when play can resume.

The lay off is expected to have an impact on player fitness levels too.

It also said that competitions which were using video assistant referee (VAR) would be allowed to drop it for the time being.

The change will apply to competitions scheduled to be completed by 31 December of this year, although FIFA and IFAB left open the possibility that the period could be extended.

While teams will be able to make five substitutions, "to avoid disruption to the game, each team will only have three opportunities to make substitutions" as well as at half time or before extra time.

In competitions that allow an another replacement in extra time, teams will have an additional substitution opportunity.

The previous limit on outfield substitutes for top-level competitions has been three in regulation time.

<h2>- Euro possibility -</h2>

The IFAB said the change had been made "as matches may be played in a condensed period in different weather conditions, both of which could have impacts on player welfare."

It added that "the decision on whether to apply this temporary amendment will remain at the discretion of each individual competition organiser."

It said that, together with FIFA, it "will determine at a later stage whether this temporary amendment would need to be extended further.

That means the measure could be maintained for the whole of the 2020-21 season and right through to the next European Championship, which was postponed by a year until June and July 2021 because of the pandemic.

"If the measure is still in force, UEFA could then adopt it for the Euro," a source said.

It remains to be seen if the measure could be left in place permanently, but doing so may play into the hands of the wealthiest clubs with the largest squads and greatest strength in depth.

The announcement comes a day after the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) said it had proposed allowing teams in Spain to make five substitutions if matches resumed in the country.

Thursday's statement said that it was the RFEF who raised the possibility of introducing the measure to FIFA "more than a month ago".

The statement also said that La Liga chief Javier Tebas had shown support for the move, which takes a similar format to IFAB's.

"With this proposal, the federation wants to go ahead and propose measures that favour the health of footballers," said RFEF president Luis Rubiales.

Football teams will be allowed to use five substitutes when play resumes after the coronavirus pandemic, the sport's law-making body announced on Friday. The International Football Association Board (IFAB) said in as statement that it had agreed to a proposal by world governing body FIFA for a temporary change to the rules "to protect player welfare".

Football teams will be allowed to use five substitutes when play resumes after the coronavirus pandemic, the sport's law-making body announced on Friday. The International Football Association Board (IFAB) said in as statement that it had agreed to a proposal by world governing body FIFA for a temporary change to the rules "to protect player welfare". Teams face likely fixture congestion in a packed calendar as they attempt to make up for lost time when play can resume. The lay off is expected to have an impact on player fitness levels too. It also said that competitions which were using video assistant referee (VAR) would be allowed to drop it for the time being. The change will apply to competitions scheduled to be completed by 31 December of this year, although FIFA and IFAB left open the possibility that the period could be extended. While teams will be able to make five substitutions, "to avoid disruption to the game, each team will only have three opportunities to make substitutions" as well as at half time or before extra time. In competitions that allow an another replacement in extra time, teams will have an additional substitution opportunity. The previous limit on outfield substitutes for top-level competitions has been three in regulation time. - Euro possibility - The IFAB said the change had been made "as matches may be played in a condensed period in different weather conditions, both of which could have impacts on player welfare." It added that "the decision on whether to apply this temporary amendment will remain at the discretion of each individual competition organiser." It said that, together with FIFA, it "will determine at a later stage whether this temporary amendment would need to be extended further. That means the measure could be maintained for the whole of the 2020-21 season and right through to the next European Championship, which was postponed by a year until June and July 2021 because of the pandemic. "If the measure is still in force, UEFA could then adopt it for the Euro," a source said. It remains to be seen if the measure could be left in place permanently, but doing so may play into the hands of the wealthiest clubs with the largest squads and greatest strength in depth. The announcement comes a day after the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) said it had proposed allowing teams in Spain to make five substitutions if matches resumed in the country. Thursday's statement said that it was the RFEF who raised the possibility of introducing the measure to FIFA "more than a month ago". The statement also said that La Liga chief Javier Tebas had shown support for the move, which takes a similar format to IFAB's. "With this proposal, the federation wants to go ahead and propose measures that favour the health of footballers," said RFEF president Luis Rubiales.

Football to allow five substitutes during post-virus fixture backlog

A lot has been said and debated over the possible resumption of live football with many popular leagues considering starting the already halted season. However, there were major concerns that players may suffer constant injuries due to lack of preparation time and going straight into matches following a prolonged time away from the pitch.&nbsp;

To tackle the injury concerns, FIFA has proposed that teams should be allowed to make up to five substitutions per game, instead of the usual three. The proposal by FIFA comes as a temporary measure to help football clubs cope with possible fixture congestion post the COVID-19 pandemic.&nbsp;

UEFA along with many other football leagues and federations are hoping to complete the halted season but that would mean a crammed fixture list to complete the season in a short period of time.

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/italys-pm-delays-serie-a-restart-decision-295002" hreflang="en">Italy's PM delays Serie A restart decision</a>

The proposal of five substitutes would need to be approved by football’s rule-making organization – IFAB - and the final call would rest with the organisers of respective competitions.&nbsp;

“One concern in this regard is that the higher-than-normal frequency of matches may increase the risk of potential injuries due to a resulting player overload,” FIFA said in a statement.

“Each team would now be given the possibility to use up to five substitutions during the match, with the possibility of an additional substitution remaining during extra time, where relevant,” it explained.

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/ny-governor-wants-to-see-sports-teams-return-even-without-fans-295011" hreflang="en">NY governor wants to see sports teams return, even without fans</a>

FIFA further said that substitutions would need to make in a maximum of three slots. The temporary rule would apply to this season and next season plus all international matches until Dec. 31 next year.

FIFA said that “football should only resume when the health authorities and governments say it is absolutely safe and non-disruptive of health services being delivered to the populations.” 
&nbsp;

A lot has been said and debated over the possible resumption of live football with many popular leagues considering starting the already halted season. However, there were major concerns that players may suffer constant injuries due to lack of preparation time and going straight into matches following a prolonged time away from the pitch.

A lot has been said and debated over the possible resumption of live football with many popular leagues considering starting the already halted season. However, there were major concerns that players may suffer constant injuries due to lack of preparation time and going straight into matches following a prolonged time away from the pitch. To tackle the injury concerns, FIFA has proposed that teams should be allowed to make up to five substitutions per game, instead of the usual three. The proposal by FIFA comes as a temporary measure to help football clubs cope with possible fixture congestion post the COVID-19 pandemic. UEFA along with many other football leagues and federations are hoping to complete the halted season but that would mean a crammed fixture list to complete the season in a short period of time. ALSO READ: Italy's PM delays Serie A restart decision The proposal of five substitutes would need to be approved by football’s rule-making organization – IFAB - and the final call would rest with the organisers of respective competitions. “One concern in this regard is that the higher-than-normal frequency of matches may increase the risk of potential injuries due to a resulting player overload,” FIFA said in a statement. “Each team would now be given the possibility to use up to five substitutions during the match, with the possibility of an additional substitution remaining during extra time, where relevant,” it explained. ALSO READ: NY governor wants to see sports teams return, even without fans FIFA further said that substitutions would need to make in a maximum of three slots. The temporary rule would apply to this season and next season plus all international matches until Dec. 31 next year. FIFA said that “football should only resume when the health authorities and governments say it is absolutely safe and non-disruptive of health services being delivered to the populations.”

A total of 5 substitutions per match? FIFA proposes temporary rule changes to reduce 'potential player overload' after resumption

football-rules

Football Rules, News on Football Rules, stories on Football Rules, articles on Football Rules, Football Rules stories at Wion, Football Rules news, Football Rules latest news

football rules

Football to allow five substitutes during post-virus fixture backlog

A total of 5 substitutions per match? FIFA proposes temporary rule changes to reduce 'potential player overload' after resumption