IFAB-approved trial to begin in Emirates FA Cup quarter-finals

Friday 03 Mar 2017
Emirates FA Cup quarter-finalists are permitted to make an additional substitution if their tie goes to extra time

The International Football Association Board [IFAB] hold their 131st Annual General Meeting at Wembley Stadium today, and their effectiveness will certainly be felt in next weekend’s Emirates FA Cup quarter-finals.

As part of a two-year trial, clubs whose last-eight ties run into extra time will be permitted to use a fourth substitute.

In order to best analyse the suitability of the concept, each quarter-finalist will be asked for detailed feedback including the positional impact of the fourth substitute, the medical staff’s appraisal of that player’s welfare and, if applicable, their performance in a penalty shootout.

FA Cup quarter-finals
  • Middlesbrough v Manchester City
  • Arsenal v Lincoln City
  • Tottenham Hotspur v Millwall
  • Chelsea v Manchester United

Upon the announcement last year, The FA chief executive Martin Glenn said: “With The Cup now adopting a straight knockout format from the quarter finals onwards, the introduction of a fourth substitute in extra time will bring extra intrigue and interest. 

“Also, from a technical point of view, it will be interesting to see how managers use the chance to make an additional substitution in such high-profile games and the impact it has on the final result.”

Among the topics on the agenda for the game’s law makers this year are the progress on experimental introduction of video assistant referees and sin bins.

Emirates FA Cup Rule 15(c)

A maximum of seven substitutes may be nominated. Subject to the below a Club may, at its discretion, use three of those seven substitute players at any time in a match. Subject to the approval of the International Football Association Board being obtained, in the event that extra time is played in any Sixth Round, Semi-Final or Final match, a Club may at its discretion use one additional substitute player, a fourth in total from the nominated seven substitutes, during such period of extra time. A substitution can only be made when play is stopped for any reason and the Referee has given permission. Prior to the substitution being made the Club must identify to the Match Officials the number of the player out and the player in, in accordance with the Official Team Sheet. 
By FA Staff