Leeds United and Sheffield United set to be allowed concussion substitutes in Premier League

Premier League clubs have voted to introduce concussion substitutes.
OPTIONS: Coach Marcelo Bielsa could be allowed extra changes if a Leeds United player - or an opponent - is suspected of having concussionOPTIONS: Coach Marcelo Bielsa could be allowed extra changes if a Leeds United player - or an opponent - is suspected of having concussion
OPTIONS: Coach Marcelo Bielsa could be allowed extra changes if a Leeds United player - or an opponent - is suspected of having concussion

Teams will be allowed to make a maximum of two substitutions in addition to the three already permitted whilst a player is being assessed for or has been found to have concussion. To avoid abuse, the opposition team will be allowed to make the same number of additional changes.

The idea is to avoid the dangerous situation of concussed players continuing the game for fear of leaving their side short-handed.

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The issue of substitutes has been a fierce one this season, with clubs split down the middle as to whether sides should be allowed an extra two substitutes to mitigate the effects of a short pre-season and a congested fixture list. Repeated attempts by some of the bigger clubs to push through the change for this season have therefore failed.

Sheffield United have been one of the more vocal opponents, arguing it gives a further advantage to the bigger squads.

However in a compromise move, the number of player allowed on the bench was increased from seven to nine.

The Football League reverted to five substitutes in November, and the FA Cup and latter stages of the League Cup also allow it, as do the European clubs competitions and Europe's other major leagues. In the Championship and the cups they can be chosen from nine substitutes but in Leagues One and Two it remains seven.

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The Premier League allowed five substitutes in matches after the lockdown last season.

The International Football Association Board's (IFAB), the world game's lawmakers, suggested the trial. The Premier League will introduce it after “the implementation of the reporting processes, including private medical information, has been resolved with IFAB and FIFA.”

Meanwhile, it has been announced all Premier League games will continue to be broadcast live until the end of February. Games have routinely been shown this season because matches are being played behind closed doors or in front of very limited crowds because of Covid-19 rules.

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