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Five substitutions to be used in FA Cup

Arsenal’s Spanish manager Mikel Arteta gestures during the UEFA Europa League 1st round day 2 Group B football match between Arsenal and Dundalk at the Emirates Stadium in London on October 29, 2020. (Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP)


The oldest football competition in the world the FA Cup will allow five substitutions this season.
The new rule will however come into effect from the third round stage of the competition.
This is in stark contrast to the Premier League where only three substitutes are permitted to be used in matches.
It means top flight clubs will be able to use five subs in European competition and in the world’s most famous knock-out tournament – but not in the Premier League.
And that sets the scene for a further inter-club row after Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp warned Gareth Southgate his England squad for Euro 2020 could be scuppered by injuries as a result of the League’s refusal to.
The FA’s Professional Game Board voted unanimously to allow five substitutes from the third round stage of the competition next month.
Three Prem clubs are on the Board, along with League solicitor – and interim FA chairman – Peter McCormick.
And while Brighton chief executive Paul Barber and Spurs director Rebecca Caplehorn represent clubs who have supported five substitutes, Crystal Palace, represented by chief executive Phil Alexander, have opposed the move.SunSport revealed that 15 of the 20 Prem managers signalled they were in support of reverting to five subs at their meeting last month.
Despite that, no vote has been taken at Prem boardroom level after at least two of the clubs whose managers changed their personal stance made it clear they would NOT alter their position.
Under Prem rules, it needs 14 clubs in favour to bring in a rule change and both votes for five substitutes were defeated by 11 to nine, well short of the majority required.

Sammy Wejinya

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