Burnley one of 11 clubs to vote against rule change at Premier League meeting

It won't come as any surprise to hear that Burnley were locked in as one of 11 Premier League clubs to vote against a move to continue using five substitutes.
Burnley boss Sean DycheBurnley boss Sean Dyche
Burnley boss Sean Dyche

Sean Dyche had previously aired his disapproval over the new ruling, which had been brought in for Project Restart following the coronavirus outbreak, when stating that it clearly favoured the 'big clubs' in the top flight.

The nine that voted in favour of the proposal's continuation - during a meeting of Premier League clubs on Thursday - argued that the additional changes were good for player welfare and useful for clubs in European competition.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“I think it quite obviously favours the big clubs, because they can keep more players happy and keep more involved and make more changes," Dyche had said.

“We all had to change the size of our home pitches to make sure they aligned with the big clubs in Europe, cut our grass the same length, so most of the things are pretty much geared to, or pushed forward by the big clubs.

“But, equally, they are part of what sells the League to the world, because they are fantastic clubs, amazing histories and a lot of footballing prowess."

The Clarets chief, who saw out the season with a significantly threadbare squad, only made 16 changes in the nine games remaining, in comparison to the likes of Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola, who made 36 substitutions.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“It favours bigger squads, managers can keep more players involved, so they don’t have as many challenges away from the pitch - more people get pitch time so it could be a slightly calmer situation, rather than some players getting disgruntled at being out of the team and then squad.

“And the bigger clubs carry deeper squads and often more high quality.

“It won’t be my decision anyway, we put forward our thoughts, and I’d just have it as normal, but that’s because I think it helps us rather than hinders us."

Extending matchday squads from 18 to 20 was also rejected, with the vote tied at 10-10.