Agency :
The use of five substitutes, introduced as a tweak to the rules because of the Covid-19 pandemic, will be formally written into the Laws of the Game at a meeting in Doha today, the International Football Association Board (IFAB) said.
Further discussions, and possible decisions, on concussion substitutes and semi-automated offside technology will also be on the agenda of governing body IFAB.
A maximum of five substitutes per team, instead of three, had been allowed since the outbreak of the pandemic in 2020.
It will now become permanent although its use in different competitions will remain at the discretion of the body organising the matches.
The Premier League, for example, had allowed five substitutes when the idea was first floated by FIFA in May 2020 but reverted back to three subs for their last two seasons. They have, however, agreed to five substitutes being permitted from next season.
The IFAB said the five changes per team would continue to be allowed to be made in no more than three opportunities, excluding any changes made at half-time.
