Clubs agree to five substitutions to help cope with workload when Premier League restarts

Premier League teams will be able to make five substitutions, rather than three, in each match for the rest of the season, once it restarts after the coronavirus lockdown.

Clubs approved the new rules on Thursday as players are likely to be asked to play matches in a condensed period and make up for lost time during the summer months.

While teams can make five substitutions, they still have only three opportunities to make the changes in a bid to restrict disruptions to matches. Teams will also be able to name nine substitutes instead of the usual seven.

It was also agreed in principle that neutral venues could be used for certain games, although the aim is to play a vast majority of matches at the usual home grounds.

Police forces across England are expected to look over the fixture list and may recommend certain games in London be played at neutral venues.

Five matches have already been requested by local forces to be moved to neutral stadiums, although none were in the English capital, despite city mayor Sadiq Khan expressing concerns about staging games there during the pandemic.

Tottenham Hotspur’s match against north London rivals Arsenal is yet to be played, as is Spurs against West Ham United, who also have a home game against Chelsea at the London Stadium.

A statement from Metropolitan Police said they are “in regular contact with the NPCC football lead [Deputy Chief Constable] Mark Roberts who is co-ordinating the policing response to the restart of any matches across the UK.

“Whilst agreement has been reached as to when the season may recommence, the plans for this to happen are still being finalised. We remain in contact with all the relevant bodies and will make plans as necessary when we receive a final proposed schedule for games.”

The Premier League is due to restart again on June 17 after a three-month absence. The opening matches will be Aston Villa v Sheffield United and Manchester City v Arsenal.

Those two games will take all teams to 29 matches played. The remaining 90 games will then continue from the following weekend of June 19-22.

Everton are hoping they will be allowed to stage the Merseyside derby at Goodison Park on that same weekend.

It is understood that Liverpool City Council’s safety advisory group is due to meet early next week.

All matches will take place behind closed doors and will be broadcast live in the UK on Sky Sports, BT Sport, BBC Sport or Amazon Prime.