It was 23rd February when they came up with this recent ill thought out idea of restricting the number of substitutes to six per side in any friendly game. It was done obviously without any consultation with people involved in the game. 
It was implemented at the beginning of this month and Clarets’ boss Steve Cotterill spoke out against it last week when it was confirmed that he would have to leave players on the field at
He said he wouldn’t break the rules but as it happened he did by bringing on seven whilst Accrington Stanley used eight.
FIFA were coming under pressure and no more so than at Fulham where they and opponents
The game did continue as an exhibition game and in the end a total of 27 substitutions were made with the 4th official taking charge and Fulham providing the assistants.
It was the actions of referee Walton that forced the rethink and after our FA put forrward a proposal there was news today that the rule has been changed and will now only apply to international friendlies.
It was all caused in the first place by Sven Goran Eriksson’s devaluing of international football with his constant substitutions and thankfully the rule will put a stop to him.
But it should never have involved club pre-season friendlies showing once again the total incompetence of the games worldwide governing body.
It now means Cotterill will be able to make as many changes as he likes on Saturday and the first to get real benefit from that could be youth team keeper Michael Hale who could well get an opportunity against Dundee United.