How many substitutes are allowed in football?
Until 2020, a team was allowed to substitute up to three footballers in both professional and amateur football. During the corona pandemic, that rule was changed to a maximum of five substitutions. However, there are still only three moments in which a coach can substitute his players. Does the game need overtime? The coach is then allowed to even substitute a sixth player.
From three to five substitutions
During the covid pandemic in 2020, the IFAB (International Football Association Board) gathered to discuss the influence of the pandemic on professional football. They came up with a wider substitution policy to better protect players' health. The five substitutions per team per game was initially intended to be a temporary change, but the rule was considered successful and got prolonged. Leagues can now decide for themselves whether a team can substitute three or five times. Every major league in Europe, as well as the organisation of the World Cup in Qatar, has voted in favour of the five substitution rule, so far.
Up until the World Cup, not everyone was acquainted with the fact that coaches were allowed to substitute a sixth player in overtime. In the round of 16 of the World Cup, which was played between Morocco and Spain on December 6, 2023, both teams took advantage of this. Morocco substituted Ounahi for Benoun in the 120th minute and Spain substituted Williams for ‘penalty specialist’ Sarabia. Morocco won the game after penalties.
Due to the new substitution rule, coaches are allowed to put 15 instead of 12 footballers on the match form.
How many substitution moments are there in a match?
Five substitution moments each match does not mean that each match can be put on hold five times to substitute a player. The rule of three substitution moments is still at force. Substitution moments are moments during a match in which a coach can substitute one or more footballers. If the ball is outside the lines of the field, the substitution may take place. Halftime does not count as a substitution moment. Similarly, the mini-break in overtime does not count as a substitution moment. In other words: if a coach has already used all his substitution moments but didn’t substitute five players yet, he’s still allowed to substitute in halftime or during the mini-break in overtime.
How does the substitution procedure work?
The substitution procedure works according to a strict regulation to which all clubs must adhere. For example, a match form must be submitted prior to the start of the match, which contains the names of the players. Does a footballer, by accident, not occur on the form? Then the footballer isn’t allowed to participate in the match. The Dutch club Ajax forgot to write Sébastian Haller’s name on the Europa League match form in 2021, which resulted in him not participating in the tournament.
The referee needs to be notified of a substitution during the match. The fourth official informs the referee when a coach wants to substitute a player. The substitution often takes place when the ball is outside the lines of the field. The player leaving the pitch may do so anywhere. Only when he or she is outside the lines of the pitch, the substitute is allowed to enter the pitch – at the level of the halfway line.
It sometimes occurs that a player does not want to leave the field. This happened, for example, during the League Cup finals between Chelsea – Manchester City in 2019. After the match ended 0-0 and after overtime, coach Maurizio Sarri wanted to substitute the goalkeeper right before penalties. Keeper Kepa refused and the referee had to resume the game without substitution. Chelsea lost the game and Kepa received a fine of 200,000 pounds.
Substitution in amateur football
In senior 'A' international team matches, a maximum of fifteen substitutes may be named of which a maximum of six may be used. In all other matches, a greater number of substitutes may be used provided that: the teams reach agreement on a maximum number. the referee is informed before the match.
Extra substitute in case of head injury
The IFAB agreed to a trial in 2020 to use an additional substitute in case of severe head injury. Leagues and tournaments were allowed to decide for themselves to experiment with this. It’s still unclear whether this rule will be enforced. People have different opinions about the effectiveness of the rule. Doctors are extremely happy with the rule, since a head injury is a great concern in football, but other organisations are not very enthusiastic about the rule. Some plead for temporary substitutes so doctors will have some time to diagnose a footballer.