Football: Premier League scraps weakened team rule

The rule has not been totally withdrawn, allowing top-flight clubs to pick any player from their 25-man squad,

LONDON:

The English Premier League has scrapped the rule on weakened teams, allowing top-flight clubs to pick any player from their 25-man squad, without the risk of any sanction from the Premier League. Last season Blackpool were fined £25,000 after manager Ian Holloway made 10 changes for a match at Aston Villa.

Additionally, Wolves were handed a suspended fine in December 2009 after boss Mick McCarthy rotated his squad for their game at Manchester United. The rule has not been totally withdrawn, and clubs will still be at risk of a fine if they select a number of younger players from outside their 25-man squad.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 16^th, 2011.