JFF endorses substitution rule change
Published:Saturday | May 2, 2020 | 12:13 AMRobert Bailey/Gleaner Writer
Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) president Michael Ricketts says his association has fully endorsed FIFA’s move to allot each team with five substitutions per game when major leagues and competitions around the world resume.
FIFA said on Monday that this will help to ease the burden on players and lessen the likelihood of injury when they resume playing.
“Of course, once this is made formal, then certainly, we will be looking into it,” Ricketts said. “I think it is good for football, and certainly, in these times, we want to expose as many players as possible to the game.
“This is something that I, personally, would want to support, and at this time, it is even more important when a number of players who will be returning from this long lay-off might not be in good physical condition. So I think a bit of a rule change might be very relevant to what is happening right now.”
FIFA’s proposal would temporarily give competition organisers the choice of allowing teams five substitutions in 90 minutes and a sixth for knockout games that go into extra time.
The local leagues in Jamaica have been suspended since March 12 because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ricketts said that the pandemic has had a serious effect on the country’s football and that he is hoping that things will return to normal very quickly.