Premier League managers have come together to get the five substitute rule back on the agenda.
Top-flight bosses met today and the issue was the hot topic of discussion after a raft of injuries, positive tests and also the EFL also voting to bring in five subs in the Championship, League One and Two.
It leaves the Premier League as Europe’s only top flight league not using five substitutes as clubs voted overwhelmingly in September to go back to three substitutes.
But Jurgen Klopp, Pep Guardiola and even England boss Gareth Southgate have urged football’s authorities to think again and use five subs after law makers IFAB gave the green light.
Liverpool boss Klopp has given a passionate argument in favour of using five subs because of the fatigue levels and string of injuries and the hope is it would ease the burden.
The managers will not have the final say but they could now put pressure on clubs to make a U-turn although it is still likely to divide opinion among smaller clubs who do not have the same depth of squad.
There is no Premier League shareholders meeting in the diary but it is likely to be raised again at the next meeting. The last vote in September saw 13 clubs vote for three subs and only seven in favour of five.
Meanwhile, EFL bosses have confirmed five substitutes will be allowed from this weekend.
Championship clubs will be able to use five subs from nine players on the bench and League One and Two sides can use five from seven substitutes.
A statement from the EFL read: "Following consultation with clubs, the EFL board has agreed to increase the permitted number of substitutes to five in all Sky Bet EFL fixtures taking place from 12 noon on Friday 20 November for the remainder of the 2020/21 season.”
