Bundesliga Temporarily Adopts Five Substitution Rule

The rule change was introduced by FIFA and IFAB to account for a backlog of games and players who may not have total match fitness after a long layoff.

FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) — Bundesliga clubs will be allowed to use five substitutions per game when the season resumes on Saturday.

The clubs in the top two German divisions decided on Thursday to accept the temporary rule change allowed last week by the International Football Association Board during the coronavirus pandemic.

The change is meant to reduce the workload on players as leagues pack their schedules following a two-month suspension. Teams can make substitutions only at three breaks in the game, including at halftime, and the league recommends making only two substitutions at once.

The German Football League has also relaxed its stance on finishing the season by June 30, when some players’ contracts expire. Games could continue into July if the alternative is leaving the season unfinished at the end of June, it said in a statement.

Some games could be moved to neutral venues if they can’t be played at the original stadium because of infection risks locally, the league said.

It delayed a decision on how to decide final standings if the season can’t be finished.