Fifa has revealed plans to propose use of five substitutions to help with the fixture congestion.

FIFA say that “the safety of the players is the main priority” and
Teams will be given “temporary dispensation” to make five substitutions to help with the congested schedule they could face when the season resumes, Fifa has proposed.

The coronavirus pandemic has brought many sporting activities to a halt.

The African continent has not been spared from this crisis as the CHAN and the CAF Champions League and CAF Confederation Cup have all been postponed.

Equally, domestic Leagues in African Countries have come to a halt casting doubt over their completion.

A Fifa spokesperson told BBC Sport “health comes first” and no competition is “worth risking a single human life.

“Football should only resume when the health authorities and governments say it is absolutely safe and non-disruptive of health services being delivered to the populations.

“Safety of the players is one of Fifa’s main priorities. One concern in this regard is that the higher-than-normal frequency of matches may increase the risk of potential injuries due to a resulting player overload.”

The proposal will need to be approved by the International Football Association Board (Ifab), football’s rule-making body, and whether it is implemented is at the “discretion of the relevant competition organiser”.

BBC Sport understands Ifab will respond positively because this was already being discussed as an important way to assist player welfare.

How it will work

In competitions where less than five substitutions are currently allowed, teams can now use up to five substitutions during the match.

The five substitutions would be allowable within a maximum of three slots, as well as during half-time.
The possibility of an additional sixth substitution during extra-time will remain.
Dispensation will be given to all national team games until 31 December 2021.

Kelvin Trudeau Musako

Football Journalist | TotalEnergies AFCON 2021 Photographer | Media Officer - Kabwe Warriors FC | Graphic Designer | Videographer