The days when randomness affected decisions, or when managers had an inkling that their striker would win for them are gradually being consigned to the past. Five substitutes were introduced across the game in May 2020 after the shutdown caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. The following season substitutes were allowed for the first time in the FA Cup and the Scottish League. The first ever substitute to play in a senior match there was Archie Gemmill, in a League Cup tie for St Mirren against Falkirk. For the time being the Football League retained the rule that subs could only replace injured players but there were suspicions that some were feigning to allow their team to make what were, in effect, tactical substitutions. In 1967, therefore, the common sense decision was made to allow substitutions for any reason with a resultant increase in their frequency. In 1967-68, for example, West Brom used their substitute in half of their league games, while Dennis Clarke became the first to play in an FA Cup final.

In terms of concussion substitutes and semi-automated offside technology, they will only be discussion points during the Ifab meeting in Doha. In addition, the Premier League will remove twice-weekly testing of players and staff from 4 April and move to symptomatic testing only. A Premier League statement said: "The wellbeing of players and staff remains a priority and the Premier League will continue to monitor the national Covid-19 situation and adapt league-wide protocols as required, in line with the latest guidance from public health authorities and medical experts." In light of these high-profile casualties, the FA eventually agreed to experiment with the idea of substitutions. It was begrudging acceptance, as the FA News reported at the time: “The general consensus of opinion would appear to be that, in principle, the use of substitutes in competitive football was not desirable.”All five of midfielder Scott Arfield's league goals in his last season at Rangers came from the bench. Meanwhile, Israel winger Liel Abada netted four league goals as a substitute and he was also among the replacements when he notched Celtic's second in the Scottish Cup final win against Inverness Caledonian Thistle. 360% rise in use of five subs Some clubs felt it gave those with bigger squads an unfair advantage and it was not brought in for the 2021-22 season either, despite Ifab recommending that five substitutions be implemented permanently in the sport in October 2021. If that team continues to trail, the assistant professor at Villanova Business School adds that a second change must come before the 73rd minute. If that hasn't worked, a third and final change should be made before the 79th minute.

Bret Myers has tested it against 1,800 fixtures across England, Germany Spain and Italy and believes that if a team is behind, it is vital for the manager to make his first substitution before the 58th minute. Jose Mourinho carved out a reputation for bold decisions during his first season at Chelsea, making 12 double-substitutions and 14 half-time changes on the way to winning the title. The referees and the assistant referees are still responsible for the decision on the field of play.This season's champions, Celtic, had the most goals by substitutes with 24 (21% of their 114 total), followed by runners-up Rangers with 14 (15%) then fourth-placed Heart of Midlothian (16%) and St Johnstone (24%), both with 10. Ifab says the substitutions can be made on three occasions during a match, excluding any changes at half-time, while a potential sixth change can be made if a match goes to extra time. Second-tier clubs can name up to nine substitutes in matchday squads, while League One and League Two clubs will be allowed seven. Teams used five or more subs in a game 176 times in the season just finished - up from 48 in the previous campaign and 70 in 2020-21. The issue would need to be raised before a Premier League shareholders meeting, then voted upon by clubs. And, as things stand, there is no meeting scheduled.

A former professional footballer in the United States, turned business professor, has a theory that links the effectiveness of substitutions to their timings. external-link There were games when we were two or three up but Bob didn't even think of bringing me on. It was cowardly. He knew the senior players didn't want to come off. They'd give him trouble but he knew I wouldn't give him any hassle." While other countries introduced substitutions in their domestic leagues in the 1950s, the FA dragged their heels, to the serious detriment of some clubs and players. Roy Dwight – who is perhaps better known as Elton John’s cousin – opened the scoring for Nottingham Forest against Luton in the 1959 FA Cup final before breaking his leg in the 33rd minute. Forest were 2-0 up when Dwight went off and they just about held on, winning the final 2-1.There are few more self-satisfied sights than the manager whose substitution has just turned a match. Ferguson has said a manager's most important trait is "he must be able to make decisions." Judging from statistics supplied by Opta for Scotland's top flight, it is perhaps too early to say whether the five-substitute rule can decide the title race. Once this had been conceded, there was pressure for further relaxation of the rules with arguments focusing on substitute goalkeepers. Notwithstanding the efforts of Knox and others, there was little doubt that having to play with a stand-in goalkeeper did disadvantage teams, entertaining though they often were. It was not until 1987 that the rules were changed to allow a second substitute. This proved the thin edge of a wedge with regular rule changes since, starting with allowing two outfield subs plus a goalkeeper, until the current position of allowing up to three of seven nominated substitutes to be used in the Premier and Football Leagues. Already arguments are being advanced in favour of allowing four substitutions.