Lausanne (AFP)

Fifa is proposing to allow five substitutions per game when competition resumes after the interruption due to the coronavirus pandemic, to help footballers cope with the increased number of matches, we learned Monday from the international federation.

The proposal has been sent to the International Board (Ifab), guarantor of the laws of the game, which must still accept it before it is then implemented by each national league, said a spokesman for Fifa.

"When competition resumes, the schedules will be overloaded with a higher number of matches than usual," said Fifa.

"Player safety is one of FIFA's priorities. One of the concerns is that the high frequency of matches may increase the potential risk of injury," added the body.

To address these concerns, Fifa has sent a proposal to Ifab to "temporarily relax Law 3 of the game to allow more replacements."

Each team could make five replacements during regular time plus a 6th replacement during overtime, said Fifa.

The proposal could be quickly studied by the Board because some championships plan to resume soon enough.

The measure could remain in force throughout the 2020-2021 season and also apply "in theory" during Euro-2020 postponed to the summer of 2021, according to a source close to the body.

"If this measure is validated by the Board, each league and each body can decide to apply it or not and in the competitions of its choice," added a spokesman for Fifa.

© 2020 AFP