FIFA See Sense At Last

By: Tony Hamilton
Date: 14/07/2004

FIFA has agreed with the FA's proposal that restrictions on substitutes in friendly matches should apply to international friendly matches only. This followed a series of discussions between The FA and FIFA in which the concerns of English football were brought to FIFA's attention.

The FA believed that it was in the interests of all parties that clubs be able to use as many substitutes as necessary in pre-season preparation matches.

As a result, from this point forward, clubs will once again be permitted to make an unlimited number of substitutions in friendlies.

FA Chief Executive Mark Palios said: "I am delighted that FIFA have listened to our concerns and clarified the situation.

"Unrestricted substitutions in pre-season friendlies are in the interests of clubs and players alike, and allow proper preparation for the coming season."

The ruling was originally imposed by FIFA as a result of England using an excessive number of substitutes in friendly internationals.

Grimsby will benefit from the ruling, as they are using their pre-season games to look at some of their trialists. 15 players have so far arrived at Blundell Park on trial, as follows:

Anthony Williams (GK)
Paul Gaughan (D)
Paul Riley (D)
Ronnie Bull (D)
Kevin Nicholson (M)
Carlos Garrocho (M)
Michael Warwick (M)
Alex Higgins (M)
Jean-Gabin Moubeke (F)
Yannick Kamanan (F)
Clint Marcelle (F)
Marvin Robinson (F)
Darren Watson (F)
Amadou Konte (F)
Tomasz Moskal (F)

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