The Ghana Premier League (GPL) has adopted the five substitution rule for the upcoming 2021/22 season after reaching an agreement with the 18 Premier League clubs.
This follows FIFA’s law-makers – International Football Association Board’s decision to increase substitutes to protect player welfare amid a congested fixture schedule in response to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic to complete the 2019/20 season.
A number of leagues across the globe adopted the rule when football returned in the 2019/20 season allowing teams to use five substitutes instead of the standard three – and Ghana will now follow in the footsteps of the other leagues like the EPL, SPL, La-liga among others.
This rule will be in place for the entire 2021/22 season which is set to commence on Friday, October 29, 2021, and run through to Sunday, June 19, 2022.
Summary:
- Five substitutions introduced – three chances to make the five subs.
- Match Day squad up from 18 to 20 players.
- Clubs now allowed nine subs on the bench from seven.
- Clubs allowed to register up to 40 players – 10 of the 40 must be below age 17.