The Premier League clubs met on Thursday and held a number of votes ahead of next season.
The most notable was the decision to revert back to a maximum of three substitutes in 2020-21.
It had been proposed that clubs continue being allowed to make five changes during games, as had been the case following the Premier League’s restart after the coronaviruslockdown.
A majority of 14-6 was needed to get that proposal through once more, after lawmakers IFAB made it available to all leagues next term.
But having seen it in action, a number of clubs – the so-called ‘smaller’ teams – opted against it, believing it benefited the league’s elite too much due to their greater strength in depth.
Aston Villa had spoken out previously against it remaining at five, while Crystal Palace did likewise having initially voted in its favour.
Clubs voted 11-9 against the proposal, having been 16-4 for it previously.
It’s believed that all three promoted clubs from the Championship – Leeds United, West Brom and Fulham – voted to return to three substitutes
Also on the docket were rules regarding VAR next term.
A Premier League statement confirmed: “Shareholders agreed to rules relating to Video Assistant Referees (VAR) and substitute players for the 2020/21 season.
Shareholders unanimously approved the implementation of VAR, in line with the full FIFA VAR protocol.”
There was also a vote which ended all square also, with a 10-10 stalemate.
That concerned extending match day squads to 20 players – allowing for managers and coaches to select from nine substitutes.
However, without reaching the necessary 14-6 majority, the subs allowed on the bench next season reverts to seven also.
source: mirror UK
