Five EFL subs for Hurst’s Mariners
GRIMSBY Town will be allowed to use five substitutes per game from a bench of seven after a vote by the 72 EFL clubs over the proposal next season.
While in the National League last season, the Mariners were only permitted to use three substitutes off a bench of five, but with this new ruling, Paul Hurst will have a greater number of options to choose from and will need to build his squad in accordance with the new rules.
However, these regulations only apply to league matches, with cup competition rules yet to be determined.
Clubs will still only have three opportunities to make changes during the game, plus any at halftime, but can use those stoppages to introduce up to five players.
The extension was initially brought in to help manage players’ workloads and deal with the aftermath of football’s suspension due to the COVID-19 pandemic but was not kept in place in the EFL for the 2021-22 campaign.
In other news, to aid supporters who are colour blind, clubs will also be permitted to wear their away or third strips during home fixtures to avoid a kit clash.
Additionally, teams will be allowed to use different parts of each kit for one match day to prevent this from happening.
Furthermore, the EFL’s owners’ and directors’ test has had a disqualifying action added for those that have been convicted of a hate crime.
EFL clubs also voted for new financial measures, including a Club Financial Reporting Panel and a Club Financial Reporting Unit, which will help ensure the league’s financial fair play regulations are fulfilled.
Town co-owner Jason Stockwood called for greater sustainability within the game as organisations such as Fair Game, of which Town is a founding member, continue to pressure English football’s governing bodies and league to change its financial distribution rules.
These rule changes and laws will come into action for the new season, which begins at a slightly early date at the end of July, to help cover the break in league football during the winter for the World Cup.