Five-substitute rule extended to 2020-21 season

LONDON - Football teams will be able to make five substitutions in a match until the end of the 2020-21 season in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the International Football Association Board (IFAB) said on Wednesday.

IFAB, the guardian of football's laws, decided in May to give competitions scheduled to be completed in 2020 the option of allowing teams to use up to five substitutes.

After a review, the IFAB announced on Wednesday that it had extended the option to competitions scheduled to be completed by July 31, 2021, and to international competitions scheduled to take place in July and August 2021.

"Some competitions which resumed in 2020 may have a shorter-than-usual recovery and preparation period before the start of their next season," the IFAB explained the decision in a statement.

"For many competitions, the 2020-21 season will involve matches being played in a condensed period due to a delayed start and the inability to end later than usual because of major international tournaments."

The decision on whether to apply the temporary amendment remains at the discretion of each competition organizer.