Premier League clubs have rejected the prospect of having the option to make five substitutions per game for a third time.
However, it has been agreed that clubs will now be allowed to increase the number of substitutes named on their respective bench to nine, opposed to the usual seven, though they will only be allowed to still make three alterations.
The latest five subs vote at the meeting of the 20 “shareholder” clubs was unable to provide a breakthrough, with the 20 clubs split at 10 apiece, with half of the clubs calling for five substitutions per game to be allowed and the other half wanting the current rules to remain in place.
That was well short of the 14 -6 majority required under Premier League regulations for the system to be changed.
The decision came despite lobbying from PFA chief Gordon Taylor and the urging from Mark Bullingham, the FA chief executive, for a change in approach.
And it also failed even though 15 of the 20 Premier League managers had signalled their support for a change in November.
It is reported by The Sun that Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp, who has been one of the biggest cheerleaders for a change, and Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola had backed the plans for the number of substitutions per match to be increased by two.
However, the Premier League clubs’ failure to agree on a change means that it is now the only one of the major top five leagues in Europe to continue with three substitutions being allowed.
La Liga, Serie A, Ligue 1 and Germany’s Bundesliga have all continued with the five substitute rule since it was introduced by Ifab, football’s Law-making body, back in July.
Last month, the EFL changed its position, allowing clubs in the Championship, League One and League Two to increase the number of changes they wish to make during 90 minutes to five.
The FA will also allow five substitutions to be made in the FA Cup third round next month.
