UEFA have announced changes to the Champions and Europa league that will see the number of substitutes available to a team increase.
In both finals the number of substitutes has been increased from seven to twelve. There will also be an extra substitute allowed in knockout matches that extend into extra-time. Uefa says the increase of substitute options will give “clubs and, in particular, coaches more flexibility” allowing them to “facilitate their squad management for the most important fixture of the season”.
These additions follow a raft of changes from UEFA that will see Champions League games kick-off at 5.55pm or 8pm from next season, mirroring the current structure in the Europa League.
All four English teams will be given direct access into Europe's premier competition, the same rule applying to Spain, Germany and Italy. English teams who finish in the Europa league places will also be placed directly into the group stages of the competition.
From next season, there will be some important changes to @ChampionsLeague, @EuropaLeague & #SuperCup regulations:
? 4th substitute
? Expanded squads for finals
⏱️ New kick-off times
? Player registrationRead more ?https://t.co/9PjPXH6Ics
— UEFA (@UEFA) March 27, 2018
In perhaps the biggest amendment to the competition players will no longer be 'cup-tied' and will potentially be able to turn out with more than one Champions League team over the course of the tournament. Under the current ruling Philipe Coutinho has been stopped from appearing in the competition for Barcelona following his January move from Liverpool, but from the 2018/19 season onwards players who transfer between two Champions Leagues clubs will have no such restrictions. UEFA have said this change will bring them level with domestic competitions who do not have such a rule in place.
