Covid-19: FIFA Set To Allow Five Substitutions Per Match

The Federation of International Football Association, FIFA, has announced that teams will be allowed to make five substitute per match instead of the usual three.

This is coming as part of efforts of FIFA to help football teams cope with potential fixture congestion after the Covid19 pandemic is over.

It's understood that the change in the rules will be allowed in all Competitions which are scheduled to be concluded by the end of the year but every competition organizers will be at liberty whether to implement it or not.

The World Football Body said in a statement “The temporary amendment comes into force with immediate effect, and has been made as matches may be played in a condensed period in different weather conditions, both of which could have impacts on player welfare,”

“The IFAB and Fifa will determine at a later stage whether this temporary amendment would need to be extended further (e.g. for competitions due to be completed in 2021).”

Fifa added that to avoid disruption to the game, each team would have to make their substitutions in a maximum of three slots plus the halftime interval. It also stated that competitions currently using the video replay system (VAR) would be free to discontinue its use on restarting.