FIFA to consider proposal to allow fourth substitution in extra time

FIFA might allow a fourth substitution in Extra Time.

According to various reports, a proposal will be made by FIFA's coaching advisers to allow teams to make a fourth substitution in extra time.

Current rules allow teams to make only three substitutions in a match. The proposal will be put forward before the 2018 World Cup.

Gerard Houllier, A FIFA technical study group member, said he they might put forward that idea to the rules-making panel, the IFAB.

"I think that's an idea that we will put,"

"It's a good idea. Only in extra time. Maybe if someone is injured, why not?"

"Substitutes play such an important part because they come with a freshness and attitude," Houllier said. "Nearly a quarter of (all) the goals have been scored in the final 15 minutes of the game."

Houllier works in a group that has been asked by FIFA to propose ideas to the IFAB. This is not the first time the possibility of having a fourth substitute has been considered. FIFA had withdrawn the proposal two years ago at the panel’s annual meeting.

"At this World Cup everything is going so quick, so fast, the tempo has been so high," he added.

“As a technician we would like to have in extra time the possibility to have another substitution.”