Allegedly, conversations took place regarding a proposal to permit six substitutions per side during games. ..Continue Reading
The meeting, held in Rome, included representatives from several Premier League teams—Manchester City, Manchester United, Liverpool, and Arsenal—though the topic was “discussed in private” at the latest general assembly of European Football Clubs, as reported by talkSPORT.
Substitutions have sparked considerable debate in recent seasons. Beginning with the 2022/23 campaign, a permanent adjustment was made after clubs agreed to maintain the five-substitute rule, originally introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The latest round of talks also reportedly covered the possibility of expanding squad sizes from 25 to 28, making it a timely issue.
Concerns around player fitness have intensified, especially as football calendars continue to grow, with more fixtures packed into each competition.
Events like the 2025 Club World Cup further contribute to the mounting schedule, adding fresh layers of match commitments.
According to talkSPORT, there’s optimism that adding one more substitution could “reduce the workload on players,” particularly after the Professional Football Association cautioned FIFA that players might consider striking if the physical demands persist.
The concept of six substitutions isn’t new—it’s already used in various cup tournaments where matches extend into extra-time.
While an extra change could help athletes manage their physical strain more effectively, the PFA reportedly remains skeptical about increasing squad limits to 28, as it could result in more players traveling without guaranteed involvement.
Any proposed adjustments would first need approval from the International Football Association Board, though it seems unlikely that Premier League clubs would reject the opportunity to use an additional substitute during matches.
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