Birmingham City learn of key rule changes after EFL vote on directors' test, substitutions and kits

Birmingham City will be able to use five substitutes from next season after the EFL approved the change to their regulations. The move means a return to one of the rules invoked in special circumstances during the early days of the coronavirus pandemic and brings the Championship into line with the Premier League.

Confirmation of the vote came during the EFL’s Summer Conference and means Blues will be able to play five of their substitutes, with seven allowed to be named in a match day squad. There were times during the COVID-19 crisis when clubs were allowed to name nine substitutes.

The news came in a statement from the EFL which read: “For League matches during the 2021/22 season, Clubs were able to field three substitutes from seven nominated. For all League fixtures going forward, Clubs will be allowed to name up to seven substitutes on their team sheet with no more than five being able to take part in the match.

“Each Club is only permitted a maximum of three opportunities to make substitutions during the fixture and a Club may make more than the one substitution at each of its three opportunities. Clubs may make substitutions at half time and any substitutions made during this break will not count towards the maximum of three opportunities.”

The league has also agreed to allow home teams to wear their away or third kits to avoid a clash that would affect people with colour-blindness and to allow them to ‘mix and match’ elements from each. They have also added an additional Disqualifying Condition to their Owners and Directors’ Test, eliminating anyone convicted of a ‘hate crime’.

They have also beefed up their financial regulations by ratifying the establishment of a new Club Financial Reporting Unit and Club