Hearts unable to use five substitutes after Championship clubs reject new proposal

Tynecastle side must stick with three subs max
Hearts can only use up to three substitutes in Championship matches this season.Hearts can only use up to three substitutes in Championship matches this season.
Hearts can only use up to three substitutes in Championship matches this season.

Hearts will be unable to use five substitutes in league games this season after Scottish Championship clubs rejected a proposed rule change.

Although Premiership, League One and League Two sides voted in favour of allowing up to five changes, those in the Championship decided against it.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

They have chosen to stick with the traditional system of using up to a maximum of three subs.

FIFA permitted the use of up to five replacements after coronavirus forced football into shutdown earlier this year.

Most leagues in Europe adopted the rule amendment, which gives more players game time during a congested fixture schedule.

A majority of Scottish Championship clubs went against the grain despite the other three divisions of the Scottish Professional Football League agreeing to the new rules.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Betfred Cup, Scottish Cup and Challenge Cup ties will also permit five substitutes, but all play-off matches in Scotland will only allow up to three.

A spokesman for the SPFL said: “In line with last season, FIFA has allowed each league to determine its own rules regarding the use of substitutes for Season 2020/21, due to Covid-19.

“As a members’ organisation, it is important that the clubs in each Division decide issues such as this for themselves.”

Read More
Arbroath ‘delighted’ to sign Smith from Hearts on loan

A message from the Editor: Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you. The dramatic events of 2020 are having a major impact on many of our advertisers – and consequently the revenue we receive. We are now more reliant than ever on you taking out a digital subscription to support our journalism. Subscribe to the Edinburgh Evening News online and enjoy unlimited access to trusted, fact-checked news and sport from Edinburgh and the Lothians. Visit https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/subscriptions now to sign up.