CAF issues new update on players’ substitution amid COVID outbreak
The Confederation of Africa Football (CAF) has issued new guidelines just as the 33rd edition of the Africa Cup of Nations kicked off amidst COVID-19 pandemic. Under competition rules, a team only needs 11 available players to fulfill the fixture — regardless of whether that number includes a goalkeeper. NIGERIA DAILY: AFCON 2021: Uncertainty As […]
The Confederation of Africa Football (CAF) has issued new guidelines just as the 33rd edition of the Africa Cup of Nations kicked off amidst COVID-19 pandemic.
Under competition rules, a team only needs 11 available players to fulfill the fixture — regardless of whether that number includes a goalkeeper.
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CAF also confirmed that five substitutions will be permitted per match, although they will only have three opportunities to make these changes, as is the case across most European domestic leagues and the Champions League.
A CAF statement read: “Each team will be permitted to use a maximum of five substitutes.
“To reduce disruption to the match, each team will have a maximum of three opportunities to make substitutions during the game; substitutions may also be made at half-time.”
“If the result of the COVID-19 PCR test of any player is positive, such player will not be authorised to go to the stadium or participate in the applicable match.
“A team will be required to play a match if they have a minimum of 11 players available who have tested negative. In the event of the absence of a goalkeeper, another player from the team must replace the goalkeeper, provided the total number of available players is at least 11.
“A team that does not have a minimum of 11 players available will be considered to have lost the match 0-2. In exceptional cases, the Organising Committee of the Africa Cup of Nations will take the appropriate decision.
