PL clubs vote against five subs; nine allowed on bench

Premier League clubs have voted against a move to five subtitutes for a third time.

Executives of the 20 clubs met again on Thursday and were deadlocked at 10 votes to 10 according to The Sun, short of the 14 to six majority required for a rule change.

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But clubs will now be allowed to name nine players on the bench instead of seven.

The substitutions issue has divided Premier League clubs all season, with Chris Wilder – a staunch opponent to the change – and Jurgen Klopp – the biggest proponent – accusing each other of selfishness.

Five substitutions were allowed in the Premier League after Project Restart to ease the pressure on players at the end of last season.

But Premier League clubs voted against extending the five subs rule in August and again in September, with each ballot reportedly finishing 11-9 against.

Pressure has mounted for the change in recent weeks as the Professional Footballers’ Association and the FA have come out strongly in favour.

But that pressure has had little effect on the clubs, with the ballot this time fiinishing all square.