Bundesliga agrees to five substitutes

FOOTBALL: Five substitutes per team will be permitted when the Bundesliga returns this weekend, with the German Football League (DFL) confirming match venues can be changed at short notice due to coronavirus.

An extraordinary general meeting was held via video conference on Thursday, when the 36 clubs of the Bundesliga and 2. Bundesliga spoke about the impact of Covid-19.

Among the matters discussed was the temporary rule change approved by the International Football Association Board (IFAB) that allows each side up to five substitutes per match.

Clubs decided that replacements “will be increased to five players per team in one match”, but the DFL ‘Football Commission’ “recommends that a maximum of two players be substituted at the same time”.

The DFL said: “From now on, each club will have a total of three opportunities to exchange players during a game, including the half-time break.”

In addition, the general meeting saw the intention “unanimously confirmed with one abstention to carry out the current season 2019/20 including relegation completely, as far as this is legally permissible and, if necessary, to continue beyond June 30 into July”.

The league statute was changed so that the DFL committee can, if needs be, extend the season beyond June 30 and determine the beginning of the 2020/21 season, as well as transfer windows.

A system to decide the final standings is being developed, while matches can be moved to other venues for the remainder of the season due to Covid-19.