Five substitutes allowed for 2020-21 soccer seasons

On Wednesday, outlets such as Sky Sports and ESPN confirmed the International Football Association Board will allow leagues to expand the rule permitting clubs five substitutions per game instead of the standard three replacements through the end of upcoming 2020-21 campaigns.

Originally, this alteration was meant to expire once seasons halted in March due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic end this summer. With the uncontrolled virus outbreak still threatening footballers and, potentially, sidelining players for weeks at a time, the IFAB extended the rule.

Independent bodies have the right to return to the three substitutions format. Sky added that the Premier League could make a decision following a July 24 meeting. UEFA, meanwhile, plans to allow for only three subs during next season's Champions League and Europa League competitions, but that could change.

Those who argue against five substitutions claim the rule favors bigger and richer clubs and hurts smaller teams, particularly during the late stages of matches. In some instances, one starter in the squad of a Premier League "giant" earns more than a smaller club's starting XI.