the times | Friday August 7 2020 2GM 61
FootballSport
The Premier League’s Big Six have
suffered a defeat in their attempt to be
allowed to use five substitutes in
matches next season.
Chelsea had led the campaign for last
season’s temporary increase from three
to five to be extended, but at a Premier
League meeting yesterday only nine of
the 20 clubs voted in favour, including
the other Big Six members: Arsenal,
Tottenham Hotspur, Liverpool and the
two Manchester clubs. At least 14 votes
were needed for it to be approved. The
number of players on the bench will
revert back to seven from nine and only
three substitutes can be used.
Teams in the FA Cup will also only be
allowed to use three substitutes next
season and the EFL is expected to
follow suit for the Sky Bet Champion-
ship, League One and League Two.
The increase to five had been
approved due to fears about players’
fitness and potential injuries in the
congested programme at the end of the
league season caused by the coronavi-
rus pandemic.
There will be no drinks breaks in the
league next season, as that measure
was only brought in for matches taking
place in the midsummer months.
The annual meeting of club
chairmen was also told that the
Premier League will have to fall into
line with Fifa’s VAR rules after being
knocked back when it approached
Big Six fail in bid to
keep five-subs rule
world football’s governing body asking
for some flexibility in using video refer-
ees. That means no tolerance will be al-
lowed when it comes to marginal off-
side decisions. Last season, 34 goals
were ruled out by VARs for offside,
some for fractional calls involving a
player’s toe or even armpit, which pro-
voked criticism from fans and players.
The vote on the substitutes was a
victory for the smaller clubs, many of
whom felt that allowing half the out-
field team to be replaced would favour
the big clubs, who have more strength
in depth in their squads. Those in fa-
vour of five substitutes argued it would
reduce fatigue-related injuries and give
more opportunities to young players.
The refusal to allow the Premier
League to employ VARs more flexibly
comes after Fifa last month took
control of the protocol from the law-
making body, the International FA
Board. The clubs had hoped that
thicker lines could be used when VAR
technicians measured offside decisions,
to allow a margin of error, but were told
that will not be possible.
VARs must also be used to determine
whether a goalkeeper has moved off the
line at penalties, while referees will use
pitchside monitors for decisions on
goals, red cards and penalties.
Meanwhile, Greece, Cyprus, Hunga-
ry and Poland have offered to act as
neutral venues for Champions League
and Europa League matches if travel
restrictions prevent them being played.Martyn Ziegler Chief Sports Reporter
STEVEN PASTON/PALiverpool’s
£10m Lewis
offer rejected
Paul JoyceLiverpool’s offer of £10 million for the
left back Jamal Lewis has been rejected
by Norwich City.
Norwich, who were relegated to
the Sky Bet Championship, have
previously indicated that they are
seeking double that amount for the
22-year-old, who has been earmarked
by Jürgen Klopp as back-up for Andrew
Robertson. Norwich viewed the bid —
an initial £8 million, plus £2 million in
add-ons — as derisory and the onus is
seemingly now on Liverpool to make
the next move with an improved offer.
Lewis, who shares the same agency,
PLG, as Robertson, 26, and Trent
Alexander-Arnold, 21, is keen to move
to Anfield, although Crystal Palace
have also shown interest in the
Northern Ireland defender.
Lewis played 28 times for Norwich in
the league this season, scoring one goal
but claiming zero assists. He joined the
club in 2014, aged 16, having taken time
out from football to focus on athletics.
Liverpool have already banked
£10.9 million from the sale of the centre
back Dejan Lovren to Zenit Saint
Petersburg last month, and the club’s
signings will be determined by their
outgoings during this transfer window.
Norwich have shown interest in the
Liverpool defender Yasser Larouci, 19,
who has rejected a new contract as he
seeks regular first-team football.Hojbjerg gets his wish as Tottenham have bid accepted
Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg is set to
complete the move he desired this
summer after Tottenham Hotspur’s
increased offer was accepted by
Southampton (Tom Roddy writes).
The 25-year-old midfielder will be
José Mourinho’s first summer signing
at Spurs, as Kyle Walker-Peters, the
right back, moves the other way in a
separate deal. Southampton had
accepted a bid from Everton for
Hojbjerg but the Dane was desperate
to join the north London club. There
are conflicting reports on the value ofthe transfer, with Southampton
claiming it is an agreement worth
£20 million plus add-ons, while the
suggestion from Spurs is of a lower
fee.
Southampton are believed to have
paid £12 million for Walker-Peters, 23,
who was on loan at St Mary’s for the
second half of the season.
Spurs have confirmed that their
former captain Ledley King, 39, has
joined Mourinho’s backroom staff
after being appointed first-team
assistant.Hojbjerg opted to
join Tottenham
ahead of Everton