This archive report was first published on 4 June 2020.
Published on June 4, 2020, Premier League clubs have agreed to a temporary rule change to protect player welfare amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.
As part of the agreement, managers will be allowed to make up to five substitutions for the remainder of the 2019/20 season, an increase from the usual three. Additionally, the number of substitutes available for selection will increase from seven to nine for the remainder of the season.
According to the Premier League, each team will still only have three opportunities to make changes, including at half-time, to avoid too many stoppages during matches.
The Premier League is set to resume on June 17 with two matches, followed by the completion of the remaining nine full rounds of fixtures in just five weeks.
However, no decision was made on how league standings would be determined if the season were to be interrupted again due to a spike in infections.
Clubs have also agreed to play a small number of matches at neutral venues where necessary, with the majority of remaining matches to be played at home and away as scheduled.
