Premier League clubs vote against five subs, agree to introduction of concussion substitution

Premier League Shareholders today met for the final time this year to discuss a number of topics.

With player welfare the Premier League’s priority, clubs agreed in principle to introduce additional permanent concussion substitutions following approval of the trial by the International Football Association Board (IFAB) yesterday.

The trial is a result of the IFAB’s consultation with stakeholders and recommendations from their concussion expert group to allow additional substitutions for players with actual or suspected concussion.

The Premier League will look to implement protocols which will allow a maximum of two concussion substitutes to be used per team, with the opposition side able to use the equivalent number.

The additional concussion substitutions may be made regardless of the number of substitutions a team has made already.

The League will now apply for permission from the IFAB, via The FA, to take part in the trial which could be implemented as early as January 2021.

The League’s Medical Working Group will meet on Friday to further consider the protocols and their implementation following the publication of guidance by IFAB and FIFA.

Shareholders also approved an amendment to Premier League rules to increase the number of substitutes a club may include in their team sheet from seven to nine, from Match Round 14 in Season 2020/21 only.

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