FA Cup ‘set to switch to FIVE substitutions’ to the delight of Jurgen Klopp and Co… with move ‘ramping up pressure on Premier League to follow suit’
- Five substitutes will be allowed in this season’s FA Cup from third round stage
- The decision adds more pressure on the Premier League to rethink their stance
- The FA’s Professional Game Board voted unanimously to allow two more subs
Five substitutes will be allowed in the FA Cup from the third round stage as the pressure continues to mount on the Premier League.
The FA has voted to follow suit from UEFA and European major leagues by allowing an extra two subs to be used during matches, while the topflight clubs in England have refused to budge on the matter with the ‘Big Six’ and the rest continuing to squabble.
This means that Premier League clubs will be allowed to use five substitutes in major European competitions and now the FA Cup, according to the Sun, but still not the league.
Five substitutes will now be allowed in this season’s FA Cup from the third round stage
The decision mounts more pressure on the Premier League to rethink their stance on the rule
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp continues to be the most vocal on the issue as his players continue to fall victim to injuries caused by the hectic scheduling due to the knock-back effect of the coronavirus pandemic.
The FA’s Professional Game Board voted unanimously to allow sides to use two more replacements during matches from the third round onwards, only further backing up Klopp’s views in his public disagreement with the Premier League.
Three topflight clubs are on the board along with League solicitor and interim chairman of the FA, Peter McCormick.
Brighton chief Paul Barber and Spurs director Rebecca Caplehorn have both supported five substitutes, but Crystal Palace have opposed the move.
The FA’s Professional Game Board voted unanimously to allow sides two more replacements
15 of the 20 Prem managers signalled they were in support of reverting to five subs at their meeting last month.
It has remained a quiet subject at boardroom level after at least two clubs made it clear they would not change their stance on adding two more subs, despite their managers changing their minds.
Under the current rules, at least 14 clubs need to be in favour to bring in a new rule and the voting for five substitutes fell short with 11 for and nine against.
Jurgen Klopp went to war with authorities to allow 5 subs in the league with injuries mounting
However, the FA’s most recent move will add more pressure onto the Premier League to rethink their stance and a new vote could be called by the ‘Big Six’ before Christmas.
Jurgen Klopp went to war after his sides draw at Brighton, repeating his view that the Premier League should change its rules and allow five subs this season, because of fixture congestion, and calling fellow Premier League boss, Sheffield United’s Chris Wilder, ‘selfish’, for opposing it.
The outspoken coach has also crossed swords with broadcasters, appearing to blame BT Sport for a hamstring injury to James Milner, because his club had been chosen to play in the TV slot at 12.30pm on Saturday, after competing in the Champions League on Wednesday.