FIFA proposed today, Monday, five replacements instead of three in the current system, when football competitions that were interrupted due to an outbreak of the Corona virus are re-established.
The move aims to help players cope with the compressed program of matches that they will face in the coming period.
The proposal was conveyed to the International Football Association (IFAP), which legislates the rules of the game for official approval, before it enters into force in various national and local championships, according to a FIFA spokesman.
"When the competitions come back, the schedule will be crowded with more games than usual," FIFA said.
"The safety of the players is a priority for the International Federation. What worries is the escalating pattern of matches, which can enhance the risk of injuries," he added.
For this matter, FIFA instructed the International Council to propose "temporarily softening Article 3 of the Play Law in order to allow a greater number of replacements."
The teams will thus be able to make five substitutions during the normal time, in addition to a sixth alternative in overtime, as explained by FIFA.
The International Council is supposed to study the FIFA proposal quickly because some of the championships intend to return soon.
This measure can continue throughout the 2020-2021 season, with the possibility of its application in the 2020 European Cup, which was postponed until the summer of 2021, according to a source close to FIFA.
The source concluded, "If this proposal is approved by the council, any association or organization can apply it or not and in the competitions it deems appropriate."