Premier League clubs will be able to make five substitutes when matches return later this month.
The temporary rule change was voted for by shareholders at a meeting this morning and it's hoped it will reduce the amount of injuries players pick-up during a packed calendar.
West Ham boss David Moyes had voiced his opposition to altering the number of subs being used in the Premier League as he fears it could compromise the integrity of the competition:
"If we change this one this one then what other changes could be made before we get to the start of next season? I think the word integrity has been used an awful lot and it's going to be even more important that the word is used correctly in the coming weeks and months."
The temporary rules changes:
- Each team will be permitted to use a maximum of five substitutes.
- To reduce disruption to the match, each team will have a maximum of three opportunities to make substitutions during the game; substitutions may also be made at half-time.
- If both teams make a substitution at the same time, this will count as one of the three opportunities for each team.
- Unused substitutions and opportunities are carried forward into extra time.
- Where competition rules allow an additional substitution in extra time, teams will each have one additional substitution opportunity; substitutions may also be made before the start of extra time and at half-time in extra time.
