Leeds United and Premier League rivals agree to major rule change and confirm transfer window - YEP 31/3/22
Leeds United will be permitted to use five substitutions in the Premier League next season, if they stay in the top flight.
By Graham Smyth
The Whites and their fellow Premier League clubs met today
to discuss a number of issues, chief among which was substitution rules.
Jurgen Klopp is one of a number of managers who have called
for a change to the number of replacements teams can use during games to aid
player welfare and prevent injuries, and their argument has won out, with five
permitted changes next season to be made on three occasions during a match.
Half-time will present teams with an additional opportunity to make a swap.
Sides will continue to name nine substitutes on the team sheet.
The change may prove a challenge for clubs like Leeds with
smaller squads, if indeed they carry on down the path of having 18 senior
players, supplemented by a number of high-potential Under 23s. One of the
criticisms of the rule change, as made by managers like Sean Dyche, is that it
favours the bigger clubs with their vast squads.
The Premier League has also confirmed today that the Summer
2020 transfer window will open on June 10 and close at 11pm on September 1, in
line with other European Leagues.
And the league has amended its remaining COVID-19 measures.
From April 4 twice-weekly COVID-19 testing of players and
staff will move to symptomatic testing only.
A statement said: "Other key updates include the
removal of the requirement for clinical passports to access previously
restricted areas at training grounds and on match days as the Premier League
returns to business-as-usual operations.
