FIFA proposes up to five substitutions per match on a temporary basis

BERN (Reuters) – FIFA has proposed that teams should be allowed to make up to five substitutions per match, instead of the usual three, as a temporary measure to help cope with potential fixture congestion in the aftermath of the novel coronavirus outbreak.

Soccer has been at a standstill since midMarch but many leagues and federations are still hoping to complete the season but to do so they would have to cram fixtures into a shorter period than usual once play re-starts.

The proposal for more substitutes would have to be approved by soccer’s rule-making organization IFAB and the final decision would rest with competition organizers, the sport’s global governing body said in an emailed statement to Reuters.

“One concern in this regard is that the higher-than-normal frequency of matches may increase the risk of potential injuries due to a resulting player overload,” FIFA added.

“Each team would now be given the possibility to use up to five substitutions during the match, with the possibility of an additional substitution remaining during extra time, where relevant,” it explained.

FIFA added that the substitutions would have to be made in a maximum of three slots plus the halftime interval.

The measure would apply to this season and next season plus all international matches until December 31 next year.

FIFA said that “football should only resume when the health authorities and governments say it is absolutely safe and non-disruptive of health services being delivered to the populations.”

FIFA medical chief advises no soccer games until September

FIFA medical committee chairman Michel D’Hooghe said soccer Tuesday that should not resume until at least September because of the coronavirus pandemic.

“I speak as a medical doctor, I don’t speak as an organizer of matches, but for the moment from my medical standpoint, I would be very skeptical,” said D’Hooghe.

D’Hooghe warned that a quick resumption of soccer leagues could have serious consequences, as it’s “not a matter of money – it’s life or death.” He noted that social distancing would be highly difficult amongst players and fans.

“There is always a direct contact. Football is a contact sport,” D’Hooghe said. “And secondly, group formation, players together on the field, players together in the dressing room, players together at the showers. But also, the public, with thousands of people. And of course, you can say, ‘We’ll play with closed doors,’ but the experience and the past teaches me that there are always groups of fans coming together, even in secret locations, and I don’t think it’s the moment to do that.”

UEFA, which oversees soccer in Europe, announced that leagues have until May 25 to decide whether to resume play or cancel the remainder of the season.

Germany’s Bundesliga teams have restarted training and have designs to resume competition on May 9. The English Premier League reportedly is trying to conclude the 2019-20 season in June and July.

Major League Soccer, which has postponed all games through the first week of June, has a training moratorium in place through May 15.