Premier League clubs have given their supports over the reintroduction of five substitutions from next season.
Dailymail Reported that the change of heart over the number of alterations permitted per-game has been confirmed following a Premier League stakeholders meeting in London today.
The English top-flight will now be in line with the rest of Europe’s major leagues and the decision ends years of resistance when the issue was previously raised
Some of the clubs previously against the switch are understood to have softened their stances, accepting that they are spending considerable sums on wages across their squads and now they have a chance to make greater use of the players they are paying.
A statement from the Premier League said: ‘Clubs agreed to change the rules relating to substitute players. From next season, clubs will be permitted to use five substitutions, to be made on three occasions during a match, with an additional opportunity at half-time. A total of nine substitutes can be named on the team sheet.’
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said: ‘I am glad that at the end we have unified the criteria for the whole of Europe and it’s now how we do it, how we manage it.
‘There will be some changes because that gives you other opportunities and I think the game will have some changes, tactically. The most important thing is you can manage much better the load of the players, make sure you don’t slow the game down too much and I think it is good. It gives players the opportunity to be on the pitch which is what they want to do.’
Adapted from Dailymail football.
