Coronavirus: RFEF to propose increased substitutions on La Liga return

There could be up to five substitutions in La Liga matches once the season restarts, if IFAB approves a new proposal from the RFEF.

There could be five substitutions allowed in La Liga fixtures.

The Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) is to propose an increase to the number of substitutions allowed in La Liga matches when the season resumes.

Spain is gradually easing out of lockdown as the country aims to recover from the coronavirus pandemic, with professional football having been suspended since March. La Liga confirmed on Monday that teams could return to training this week, with a restart planned for June.

But as football prepares to return, the RFEF – backed by La Liga – is to request IFAB allow a change to the number of substitutions allowed during a match, with the primary aim of protecting players' health after an unexpected pause in the campaign.

The RFEF, which claims to have the backing of FIFA, is to propose an increase to five changes from three, with the substitutions allowed at three different times throughout a game. This rule change would apply to all RFEF competitions, including Segunda B and the Tercera, which are set to be settled by promotion play-offs.

"With this proposal, the RFEF wants to go ahead and propose measures that favour the health of footballers," stated president Luis Rubiales.