MX23RW : Thursday, December 19 23:07:47| >> :60:483:483:

Masters not expecting return of five-sub rule amid Klopp, Guardiola criticism

Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola have led the calls for the Premier League to reintroduce five substitutes.

Premier League chief executive Richard Masters does not expect an increase in the amount of substitutions that can be made during a game.

Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola have led the calls for the Premier League to reintroduce five substitutes this season in a bid to curb a spate of injuries.

Masters,  giving evidence at a Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee, revealed clubs had voted against it twice already and does not expect it to be changed from three any time soon.

Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola are united in their wish for the five subs rule
Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola are united in their wish for the five subs rule (Martin Rickett/PA)

“We have had two votes on it at club level and both have been relatively supportive of three subs,” he said.

“That has created some frustration, alongside discussions of fixture scheduling, which is related to the pandemic. There is a real issue and I don’t foresee it changing in the foreseeable future. It has been voted on twice.”

Masters confirmed that the Premier League will be “changing direction” away from televising some games on a pay-per-view.

Certain Premier League games have been screened on a PPV basis
Certain Premier League games have been screened on a PPV basis (Michael Regan/PA)

The decision to broadcast several matches behind an additional paywall has been hugely criticised and the Premier League will change tact.

“We took a decision to move to pay-per-view and now we are reviewing that decision,” Masters added.

“We have listened to feedback, we will be changing direction and moving away from it and taking another step that will see us through lockdown, the Christmas period and into January. I can’t announce what it is.”

ID:421786: cacheID:421786:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:5332:
Written by
P A
Restore Data
Share this article now:
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool15113131131836
2Chelsea16104237191834
3Arsenal1686229151430
4Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest168442119228
5Manchester CityMan City168352823527
6Bournemouth167452421325
7Aston Villa167452425-125
8Fulham166642422224
9Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton166642625124
10Tottenham HotspurSpurs1672736191723
11Brentford167273230223
12Newcastle UnitedNewcastle166552321223
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd166462119222
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham165472129-819
15Crystal Palace163761721-416
16Everton153661421-715
17Leicester CityLeicester163582134-1314
18Ipswich TownIpswich162681628-1212
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1623112440-169
20Southampton1612131136-255


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!