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A substitute is a player in football (soccer) who is brought on to the pitch during a match in exchange for an existing player. Substitutions are generally made to replace a player who has become tired, injured or who is not performing well, or for other tactical reasons such as bringing an attacker on in place of a defender when goals are required.
History
Substitutions during English league matches were first permitted in the 1965-66 season. During the first two seasons after the law was introduced, each side was permitted only one substitution during a game. Moreover the substitute could only replace an injured player. From the 1967-68 season, this rule was relaxed to allow substitutions for tactical reasons.
On August 21, 1965, Keith Peacock of Charlton Athletic became the first substitute used in the Football League when he replaced injured goalkeeper Mike Rose eleven minutes into their away match against Bolton Wanderers.
FIFA Rules
According to FIFA's Laws of the Game (2005) [1]:
Official Competitions
- Up to a maximum of three substitutes may be used in any match played in an official competition organised under the auspices of FIFA, the confederations or the member associations.
- The rules of the competition must state how many substitutes may be nominated, from three up to a maximum of seven.
Other Matches
- In national A team matches, up to a maximum of six substitutes may be used.
- In all other matches, a greater number of substitutes may be used provided that:
- the teams concerned reach agreement on a maximum number;
- the referee is informed before the match.
- If the referee is not informed, or if no agreement is reached before the match, no more than six substitutes are allowed.
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