The Football Rules Committee (IFAB) on Friday approved the introduction of five instead of the current three substitutions , FIFA and IFAB said in a joint press release.
This interim decision will take effect immediately, in light of its dire need during the matches played under the shadow of the coronavirus pandemic.
The temporary amendment to Article 3 in the rules of the football game will be able to be applied in all leagues that continue to compete after a break caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Those competitions that will apply the amendment can use it until the end of this calendar year.
Until then, the International Football Association and IFAB will decide whether the option with five possible substitutions per game will continue to apply until the end of 2021.
If it does, that would mean even the European Championship, which was to be held this year and has been postponed to next summer, would have to apply this rule.
