FIFA plans to clarify rule on substitution

London :

FIFA plans to clarify a new rule on substitutions after a club game in England had to be abandoned last week. Fulham's preseason match against Watford was scrapped at halftime after both teams made six changes, although the players stayed on the field and the match became more of a training session without an official referee. That prompted the Football Association to hold discussions with FIFA about the rule change agreed in February by the International Football Association Board. Earlier yesterday, the FA said FIFA had agreed to limit restrictions on subs only in international friendlies, meaning unlimited changes in club matches. However, FIFA spokesman Markus Siegler said that the rule was the same all along. "It's about misinterpreting the rule," he said. "Now we will have a look to better specify and clarify the rule. It's a matter of understanding the interpretation going back to February." Last year, England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson used two different teams in a friendly against Australia, prompting FIFA president Sepp Blatter to label the match as a farce. In preseason club matches though players rarely play a full 90 minutes. (AP)