Premier League clubs vote against allowing 5 subs next season

Premier League clubs will go back to using three substitutes in matches next season after voting on the matter Thursday.

Teams were permitted to use up to five substitutes after the season restarted in June in order to reduce the risk of injuries following a three-month layoff.

Eleven of the 20 Premier League clubs voted against keeping five substitutes for the 2020-21 campaign, according to The Telegraph's Sam Wallace. The proposal needed at least 14 clubs to vote in favor in order to pass.

Several teams reportedly argued that the increase in replacement players gave wealthier clubs an unfair advantage, with many of the teams outside the elite voting against the proposal.

FIFA announced in April that clubs will be permitted to use an increased number of substitutes until August 2021.

Shareholders at the Premier League’s Annual General Meeting on Thursday also unanimously agreed to implement VAR in line with FIFA's protocols.

There will be increased usage of the Referee Review Area (RRA), meaning officials will utilize the pitch-side review areas more often than last season. The RRA will be used for subjective decisions relating to goals, red cards, and penalty kicks.

Other changes relate to encroachment on penalty kicks, as VAR will advise that a spot-kick needs to be retaken if the goalkeeper saves a penalty after his foot was off the line. For players, any part of the foot on the penalty area or arc line will be considered encroachment.