The Premier League has rejected a move to five substitutions for the third time, despite mounting pressure from the top flight’s biggest clubs, the FA and Professional Footballers’ Association.
Executives of the 20 top flight clubs met today and again voted down a proposal to increase the number of substitutes that can be used in a match from three to five.
But in a bid to give some encouragement to the Big Six clubs, teams will be allowed to have nine replacements to choose from on the bench.
The issue has bitterly divided Premier League clubs all season, with Sheffield United’s Chris Wilder, a staunch opponent of the change, and Liverpool’s Jurgen Klopp, an enthusiastic supporter, each accusing the other of being ‘selfish’,
Pep Guardiola is one of the Big Six managers who has spoken in favour of five substitutes
Five substitutions were allowed in the Premier League when matches began again following the national lockdown last season in order to ease the pressure on players as matches came thick and fast.
However, Premier League clubs voted against extending the five subs rule in August and again in September, with each ballot reportedly finishing 11-9 against. There must be 14 top-flight clubs in favour to implement a rule change.
Pressure has mounted for the change in recent weeks as the Professional Footballers’ Association and the FA have come out strongly in favour.
Jurgen Klopp has been the most vocal advocate of five substitutes throughout the season
Managers at clubs fighting for relegation claim the move to five subs is unfair, since those with more resources and stronger depth would be allowed to bring on more of their top stars.
‘Cards on the table, he’s going to look after his own club,’ Wilder said of Klopp last month. ‘I’ve got incredible respect for these top managers because they produce top results and win things.
‘But they’re selfish, they look after their own clubs. They’re not going to be bothered about Sheffield United, they’re not going to be bothered about England.
‘They’re going to be bothered about Liverpool, Man City and Chelsea, which I understand and respect.
Sheffield United’s Chris Wilder has argued against five subs saying it would favour rich clubs
‘I would be the same, but I’m bothered about Sheffield United and it doesn’t help us to have five subs.’
Sportsmail previously reported that managers at Burnley, Sheffield United, Newcastle, Wolves and Aston Villa have spoken against five subs. Marcelo Bielsa at Leeds United has not commented, but the club is believed to be against the move.
Of the other 14 managers, 12 were either in favour or said they would go with the change and the final two appeared persuadable if more evidence about player welfare was presented.
However, it has become apparent that club executives may not hold the same views as their managers and coaches.
Premier League club executives had previously discussed five subs in August and September
Klopp insisted in November that a meeting of the managers had resulted in 15 or 16 speaking in favour for five subs.
But at the next Premier League shareholders’ meeting, which is attended by executives and chairmen, no vote was called.
The argument in support of the change is that the pre-season preparation was curtailed this term, and the later start of the season has meant more matches in a shorter time., placing more strain on the players.
Klopp admitted prior to Liverpool’s game against Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield on Wednesday that he now felt like the ‘only voice’ pushing for change.
However, he did not use any of the three substitutes he is allowed during the match.
Leagues across Europe have taken advantage of a rule change that allows five substitutes
In an explosive interview after Liverpool’s 1-1 draw with Brighton in November, Klopp told BT Sport: “Chris Wilder or whoever, constantly say I’m selfish. I think all the things show that he’s selfish but that’s not too important.
“[Five subs] is not for tactics, it’s to save the players. It’s for all players. You will it from now on until December. We will see.”
Liverpool have suffered a catalogue of injuries this season with Joe Gomez, Thaigo Alacantara, James Milner, Diogo Jota and Konstantinos Tsimikas all facing lengthy spells in the treatment room, and a clutch of other players missing for short periods due to muscle strains.
Manchester City’s Pep Guardiola and Manchester United’s Ole Gunnar Solskjaer have also been a strong advocate of five substitutes.
FACT BOX TITLE
England’s top tier has been the only major European league to turn down the chance to use five subs this season.
Football’s lawmakers gave permission for clubs in domestic leagues to make five changes, instead of the normal three last season because of fixture congestion caused by the coronavirus pandemic and the additional strain that put on players.
Most European Leagues allow five subs
At the beginning of this season, the law change was extended by the International Football Association Board, but the Premier League chose not to make the change.
The EFL, however, did decide to allow five substitutions in November, putting further pressure on the top flight.
The IFAB extended the rule change again yesterday and it will now be in place throughout next year for domestic leagues and until July 2022 for international competition.
That announcement prompted FA chief executive Mark Bullingham to confirm that teams in the FA Cup and Women’s Super League will be able to use five substitutes instead of three replacements this season, with an additional one permitted in extra time
And he put pressure on the Premier League to do the same.
Extra subs can now be used until 2022
“We are bringing it in for the FA Cup from January, and yes I am surprised the Premier League has not brought it in,’ he said.
“With a lack of pre-season and a congested season we are surprised the Premier League has not signed it off. Whether that decision changes or not is up to the clubs.
“The reason we want it in the competition is the reason most other leagues around the world have applied it. That is, for player welfare.
The Professional Footballers’ Associations has also spoken out in favour of five substitutes.
Last week, Gordon Taylor, the PFA chief executive, wrote to his Premier League counterpart, Richard Masters, demanding that the top tier introduce five substitutes ‘with immediate effect’.