FA National Pilot Project of substitutions in boys' U17, U18 and men’s Open Aged Football.
The Football Association has been seeking more flexibility on substitutions in the amateur game in an effort to help increase participation in 11 v 11 competitions, and the International Football Association Board has now given permission for The FA to conduct a two year experiment in recreational football, with a view to demonstrating that this will have a positive impact on retaining and growing the number of players participating in the 11 v 11 game.
Competitions may adopt this provided that:-
(i) Matches are solely for amateurs.
(ii) Matches are not part of the most senior domestic competition.
The following law modification is now permitted:-
“A Club may at its discretion and in accordance with the Laws of the Game use _____ (3, 4, 5) substitute players in any match in this Competition who may be selected from _____ (3, 4, 5) players”.
“A player who has been substituted himself becomes a substitute and may replace a player at any time subject to the substitution being carried out in accordance with Law 3 of the Laws of the Game.”
Any FA or County FA sanctioned leagues or cup competitions operating U17, U18 or open-aged 11 v 11 competitions are eligible to be part of the pilot, and must incorporate the above rule change and notify their clubs within 28 days of the competition Annual General Meeting. Assuming any such rule change receives a majority vote in favour at the Annual General Meeting, the competition must inform their sanctioning County FA/FA within seven days of the decision.
Competitions should be clear that this pilot is only for 2012-13 and 2013-14 seasons, after which the International Football Association Board will review the decision.
Full details on implementing this can be found by clicking here.
