Clubs vote out bid to return to five subs

THE Premier League again vetoed attempts to allow five substitutions in the top flight this season, with ten clubs understood to have voted against the proposal at a shareholders’ meeting yesterday.

Burnley, Aston Villa, Crystal Palace, Fulham, Leicester, Leeds, Newcastle, Sheffield United, West Ham and Wolves reportedly opposed the motion.

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp and Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola (pictured) were among the advocates for more replacements in a bid to protect player welfare during a tightly packed schedule this season.

West Ham’s decision to vote against it comes after boss David Moyes said he had changed his mind and preferred a return to five subs.

The temporary amendment to the laws of the game to allow five changes was approved by lawmaking body the International Football Association Board (IFAB) earlier this year.

Premier League sides were allowed five changes when the 2019-20 campaign resumed over the summer but two further votes to keep it in place for 2020-21 failed, prior to yesterday’s third vote.

A 14-club majority would be necessary for the motion to be carried.

The Premier League is an exception among major European leagues in only allowing three substitutes, with the Football League also voting to permit five last month.

Five subs will be allowed in the FA Cup and the governing body’s chief executive Mark Bullingham has spoken of his ‘surprise’ that the top flight has not followed suit.

The Premier League has agreed to apply to join a trial allowing the use of two additional permanent concussion substitutes and it could start as early as next month.