New rule to come in football: 4 substitution per match
By stvasile
@stvasile (7306)
Romania
September 25, 2008 12:04pm CST
A coaches' meeting in Geneva this week proposed some rule changes in football, that seems to be very near of implementing. In the near future, somewhere in the following seasons, 4 substitutions will be allowed per match. There is a catch, though: this fourth substitution will be allowed only in Extra Time, because that's when the players are exhausted. That way, this change will be mostly made out of medical reasons rather than tactical.
4 people like this
15 responses
@stvasile (7306)
• Romania
25 Sep 08
One of the versions of this rule was for the 4th sub to be for goalkeepers only, but it was rejected, at least for now. I personally don't think it should be fol goalkeepers only. The goalkeeper isn't exposed so much to getting injured and he is not exposed to fatigue.
I think it's better to leave this 4th sub in extra time only. If they make all 4 subs during regulation time for tactical reasons they will end up with all players tired in ET, or with an injury in the ET, after all changes have been made. I think it's a rule proposed to protect the players. As many managers make all 3 moves before ET, trying to get the victory in the last minute, a player is oftentimes forced to play the ET injured or exhausted...
2 people like this
@ronaldinu (12422)
• Malta
25 Sep 08
I don't like the idea. Soccer will resemble American football. I prefer that the 3 substitution per match to remain as it is
3 people like this
@boccadbest (156)
• Malta
26 Sep 08
I do not agree with this rule to the fact that football is perfect as it is. Major complications will change football in a different game and will never be the same. So i just say leave it 3, or at least make the fourth sub if there is an injury.
2 people like this
@mrtimharry (1180)
•
26 Sep 08
Personally think that three is enough and as the fourth is to be allowed in extra time only I would have thought it was more likely that it will used to waste time rather than to replace an injured player.
2 people like this
@The_Rocket (77)
•
27 Sep 08
I think that bringing four substitutions per match could be a great thing, especially if the match is absolutely desperate for some fresh pair of legs. Despite this, like what others have said, this 4th substition can be made to waste time during ET which is not such a great thing either.
2 people like this
@bloodsheder (136)
• Singapore
26 Sep 08
this idea of 4th substitution can be exploited though. Teams can used it to further waste time especially during injury time.
Not good. I dont like the idea.
2 people like this
@stvasile (7306)
• Romania
26 Sep 08
The rule says the 4th substitution can take place only in Extra Time (the two extra 15' halfs), that is after the 90'+ injury time. Of course that if a team scores in Extra Time, it can start wasting time and they can use this 4th substitution for that purpose.
1 person likes this
@chiaeugene (2225)
• China
26 Sep 08
why must they make it only applicable for extra time. common man, the game is getting tougher and faster nowadays. We enjoyed watching a fast action-packed game played at hyper speed. and normally for such games, the pace will slow down somewhere in the 30-40min and 60-80mins, if we have that extra substitutions, the game may be able to sustain longer at high speed due to the extra fresh man. it may result in more goals and quality play as it is a joy to watch a fresh man coming into play and beating tired player with ease. Also with the quality of players on the bench nowadays, it just dun make sense to limit substitution to only 4.
2 people like this
@Foxfire1875 (2010)
•
26 Sep 08
If it's only in extra time, it will be used tactically every game to waste time by the winning team. I doubt it'll make much difference and wonder why they are bothering.
The only games it'll be any use for is cup games, when a long period of extra time is played and would help then.
1 person likes this
@Foxfire1875 (2010)
•
30 Sep 08
That's what I thought as it makes no sense for it to be in injury time. It will obviously only apply to cup competitions then.
1 person likes this
@elitess (5070)
• Ipswich, England
25 Sep 08
Hi there Vasile. Thanks for sharing this information as this is something new and interesting for me to know. I think it's a good idea, especially for the players that get wounded in extra time, or after the 3rd substitution to get treatment sooner than later.
2 people like this
@chineseairhead (756)
• China
28 Sep 08
I don't quite like it. If there's no extra sub for extra time, we can see what kind of sub tactics the managers adopt.
1 person likes this
@LISAANDELYSIA (285)
• China
26 Sep 08
dont you think they couldbe a little consevative?
too cautious for ragulation reform, and now finally did it
but made it stick with extratime,it shouldbe gone to 5 many
years ago in my opnion
2 people like this
@stormragetz (567)
• Singapore
27 Sep 08
I doubt a 4th substitutions will really make an impact to the game in extra time. Why don't they add 1 more player instead? With 11 field players, things could get more exciting, and tactics could be modified into a more attacking style.
1 person likes this
@stvasile (7306)
• Romania
27 Sep 08
I think it's a much to profound rule to add more players in the game.
The only effect would be to keep the game going by bringing an extra pair of fresh legs during Extra Time. We've seen lots of game stops because one player or another has cramps and can't go on.
@ananth_kamma (675)
• India
25 Sep 08
thanks for the update stvasile. i support the rule. 4 subs must be there.
2 people like this
@dsharat (456)
• India
26 Sep 08
Hi there,If this new rule is implemented then we will see the players concentrating more on their physical fitness rather than improving their skills and implementing their tactics and some game plans...And also the team should have a good number of players in their squad, so as to give rest to some players and allow others to join..
Hope this rule is not implemented...So that we can enjoy the game or else we see very few attacks and more defensive approach of the game...
