SPFL statement - 13/01/22

The Scottish Professional Football League (SPFL) can today announce that cinch Premiership clubs have voted to increase to five the number of substitutes allowed in league matches for the remainder of the season.

The SPFL circulated a written resolution to cinch Premiership clubs asking whether they wished to continue with three substitutes only or to increase the number permitted to five.

The decision has now been approved after it was supported by 75% of cinch Premiership clubs. It will also allow clubs to name a bench of up to nine players.

The move will support player welfare and assist with the congested fixture schedule given the possibility of postponements due to weather conditions or Covid-19.

The new rule will be in place from Monday’s cinch Premiership match between Celtic and Hibernian and for the remainder of the cinch Premiership season 2021/22.

The use of up to five substitutes is already permitted in cinch League 2 and the SPFL is consulting with cinch Championship and cinch League 1 clubs over the position in their divisions.

A SPFL spokesman said: “FIFA has allowed each league to determine its own rules regarding substitutes since the Covid-19 pandemic began. 

"As a members’ organisation, it is key that clubs in each division are able to make decisions on issues such as this for themselves."