EFL re-introduces five substitutions rule

Premier League is now only major top-flight division that has refused to return to the rule

The English Football League has confirmed five substitutes will be allowed across all divisions from the next round of fixtures.

The game's law-making body, the International Football Association Board, announced in July that the five substitutes rule would be extended into 2020-21 - but that it would be up to individual competitions whether or not they adopted it.

A statement on Wednesday from the EFL read: "Following consultation with clubs, the EFL board has agreed to increase the permitted number of substitutes to five in all Sky Bet EFL fixtures taking place from 12 noon on Friday 20 November for the remainder of the 2020/21 season.

"Regulation 33.4 has been amended to permit Championship clubs to name up to nine substitutes in their matchday squad, with five permitted to take to the pitch in any fixture.

READ MORE: Premier League fixtures and table - all matches by date and kick-off time

"League One and League Two clubs can name up to seven substitutes in their match day squad, again with five permitted to take to the pitch."

The Premier League is the only major top-flight division in Europe which does not allow teams to make five changes in a match during the current campaign, with the Champions League also permitting five substitutes.

The proposal has twice failed to secure the 14-club majority needed to be adopted for the new season, after a vote to use it during the final two months of the delayed 2019-20 campaign was supported.

Premier League chief executive Richard Masters confirmed he was not expecting a change "in the foreseeable future" when he gave evidence at a Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee last week.

PA