Recent reports have indicated that clubs in the Premier League have “discussed increasing the number of substitutes allowed in a match,” according to talkSPORT.
Reportedly, talks were held about introducing a rule to allow six substitutions per team, per game. Held at an event in Rome, talkSPORT stated that representatives from a number of Premier League clubs, including Manchester City, Manchester United, Liverpool and Arsenal, were in attendance, though the subject was one that was “discussed in private” at the recent general assembly of European Football Clubs.
Substitutions have been a highly-debated topic in recent years. Starting in the 2022/23 season, a permanent change was implemented after Premier League teams agreed to continue with having five changes per match, a rule initially put in place during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Will There Be Another Change to Substitutions in Football?
The recent discussions, which also reportedly included increasing squad sizes by three, from 25 to 28, are topical. Much has been said, particularly in recent years, about player fitness, given that the general trend in football seems to include more games being played in each competition. Or, as shown with the 2025 Club World Cup, there are entirely new sources of matches, only adding to an already heavy workload.
As per talkSPORT, there is hope that allowing teams to have an additional substitute will “reduce the workload on players,” following warnings to FIFA from the Professional Football Association that players may go on strike if they continue to face such battles with fitness.
To make six substitutions is not unprecedented, as the practice is also seen in a number of cup competitions in which games can progress to extra-time. Though an additional change would certainly go some way in helping players better manage their fitness, it would appear that the PFA have doubts about extending the squad limit to 28, as it would see more players be required to travel only to, perhaps, not be used.
Any changes that could come to fruition would first have to be recommended by the International Football Association Board, but it is hard to imagine that Premier League teams would turn down the chance to be allowed an extra substitute on a match day.