The written resolution to approve the use of up to five substitutes in Scottish Premiership matches for the 2020/21 season has been approved by Premiership clubs. This means the new rule will take effect for the opening set of fixtures this weekend.
Under the new rules, clubs will be able to name a bench of up to nine players but, in making their five subs, can only halt play on three separate occasions during the course of the match.
The change, recommended to clubs by the SPFL Board on Friday, is a temporary alteration for the 2020/21 season and is designed to help clubs deal with a more congested than usual fixture calendar which may see reduced recovery time for players.
Neil Doncaster, chief executive of the SPFL, said: “As excitement builds ahead of the return to competitive action this weekend, I am pleased that the Premiership clubs have approved this resolution which was recommended by the Board. Player welfare was at the forefront of our decision to recommend this change and it is vital that we recognise the additional strain being placed on players as we embark on the 2020/21 season.
“We are preparing similar resolutions for the Scottish Championship, League 1 and League 2 and these will be distributed to the clubs in those divisions in due course.”
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