Revealed! The number of substitutes now allowed on Newcastle United's bench as Premier League agree rule change
Newcastle United are now allowed to make FIVE substitutions and can have an extra two options on the bench when the Premier League kicks off in less than two weeks.
At a special shareholders meeting it was agreed temporary rule changes would allow teams to make five changes in a 90-minute game as well as name NINE, rather than seven subs on the bench.
Confirming the news, a Premier League statement reads: “Premier League Shareholders today agreed temporary changes to the rules relating to substitute players.
“For the remainder of the 2019/20 season, the number of substitutes that can be used during a match will increase from three to five players.
“This is in line with the temporary law amendment made by the International Football Association Board last month.
“Shareholders also approved for Clubs to increase the maximum number of substitute players on the bench from seven to nine for the rest of the 2019/20 season.”
Steve Bruce’s Magpies have nine Premier League games left this season but could potentially see themselves playing 12 matches in total, should they reach the FA Cup final for the first time since 1999.
The Magpies are slated to face Sheffield United at St James’s Park next up, which is likely to take place on Saturday, June 20.
Seven days later they are due to take on Manchester City in the sixth round of the cup competition, the first time they’ve reached that stage since 2006.