By Rune Gjerulff@runegjerulff

German clubs agree to keep the five-substitute rule for the 2020/21 season

The 36 clubs of the Bundesliga and 2. Bundesliga will still be able to make five substitutions in the coming season.
Emil Forsberg and Julian Nagelsmann.
Emil Forsberg and Julian Nagelsmann.Photo: GEPA Pictures/Sven Sonntag
Bundesliga and 2. Bundesliga clubs have decided to keep the five-substitute rule for the 2020/21 season.

The 36 clubs agreed to increase the number of substitutes allowed from three to five when they prepared to restart the 2019/20 campaign after the suspension of football caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

And speaking at a press conference on Thursday, German Football League (DFL) chief Christian Seifert announced that a decision has been made to keep the five-substitute rule in place for the upcoming campaign.

"Corona will accompany us in the coming season as well. The organization and implementation will be more complicated than it was after the restart. After all, in addition to the Bundesliga games, international matches are scheduled in countries that may be risk areas. This will perhaps be the most demanding season in the history of the Bundesliga," said Seifert.

"The hygiene concept has been unanimously confirmed by all clubs of the Bundesliga and 2. Bundesliga until the end of the season. Violations are therefore sanctionable by the DFL, but this doesn't affect the private lives of the players.

"Furthermore, the clubs have decided to stick to the five-substitute rule," the DFL boss said.

Both the Bundesliga and the 2. Bundesliga will return on September 18.

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