ROY: UNITY WON FIVE-SUB DEBATE

ROY HODGSON has hailed the ‘solidarity’ and ‘democracy’ of the Premier League in the five-sub debate.

A second motion to change from three to five substitutes per game was rejected last month with less than the 14 clubs required backing it.

The matter was not even discussed at the most recent top-flight shareholders’ meeting, meaning the demands of the elite clubs have failed – for now.

Jurgen Klopp, Pep Guardiola and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, amongst others, wanted five subs introduced immediately over fears this season’s congested fixture list is leading to an increase in injuries.

But Crystal Palace boss Hodgson (above), who last month claimed the big guns were chasing points rather than protecting players, is delighted they have not got their way.

Apart from supporting the decision to stick with three replacements, he reckons the Premier League voting process proves why the competition is in such rude health.

Ahead of the Eagles’ trip to West Brom today, Hodgson said: “I’ve always been an unbelievable admirer of the Premier League’s solidarity. We have created such a strong league that has blossomed and gets stronger every year.

“A lot of that is down to the fact there’s solidarity as a group.

“We’ve accepted that all major decisions are decided democratically, with each team getting a vote. I’m a great believer in that and hope it will continue.

“’I’m not prepared to say top teams are trying to influence things. If the Premier League has listened to the debate about five subs and decided the two votes they’ve had on the subject are sufficient, that’s fine by me.”