IFAB confirms five substitutes for 2020/21 season

It has been confirmed that five substitutes will be allowed during the 2020/21 season. Football lawmakers made this public on Wednesday (July 15) following a meeting of the International Football Association Board (IFAB).

However, each competition will be free to decide whether they want to use the additional substitutes next season.

The measure, designed to help manage player workloads in seasons affected by the coronavirus pandemic, initially covered competitions finishing in 2020 The directors of the IFAB have now extended the amendment to the laws of the game to cover league competitions ending on or before July 31 2021, and to international competitions scheduled for July and August of the same year.

Manchester United took advantage of the new law to make five subs at once against Sheffield United.

“Following the decision taken on 8 May 2020 to give competitions scheduled to be completed in 2020 the option of allowing teams to use up to five substitutes,” A statement from IFAB said.
“The IFAB Board of Directors had agreed to review whether to extend this option further.
“On the basis of this in-depth review based on stakeholder feedback and analysis of the impact of COVID-19 on competition calendars, the IFAB Board of Directors has approved to extend the option to competitions scheduled to be completed by 31 July 2021 and international competitions scheduled in July/August 2021.”