A number of Premier League clubs, including Manchester City, Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester United and Nottingham Forest, have held informal private discussions about the possibility of increasing the number of substitutions per match to six during the recent general assembly of the European Football Clubs (EFC) in Rome.
It is reported that representatives from top European clubs such as Paris Saint-Germain, Inter Milan and Barcelona also attended the meeting. While the "six-substitution rule" was not an official agenda item, many clubs expressed interest in the proposal during private exchanges. Discussions also covered expanding the squad registration limit from 25 to 28 players to ease the physical strain on players amid a congested fixture schedule.
The topic emerged following a warning from the Professional Footballers' Association (PFA) – players have voiced dissatisfaction with the intense schedule and excessive fatigue, and a strike cannot be ruled out if the situation deteriorates. However, some insiders argue that even relaxing substitution limits or expanding squads may not truly ease the match burden on key players.
Currently, the Premier League has officially implemented the "five-substitution rule" since the 2022/23 season, allowing substitutions to be completed in three stoppages. In extra time of some cup competitions, teams can make a sixth additional substitution. The full implementation of the "six-substitution rule" in regular league matches still requires approval from the International Football Association Board (IFAB).
