NEW rule changes for next season to the Champions League, Europa League and UEFA Super Cup have been announced by European football’s governing body.
UEFA confirmed on Tuesday that a fourth substitute will be allowed to be used in extra time during knockout stage matches, while a 23-man squad can now be used in the final of all three tournaments, an increase from 18.
There will also be new kick-off times in both of the major club competitions, with 8pm UK time becoming the standard start time for play-offs, group games and knockout clashes in the Champions League.
During the group stage, two games on Tuesday and two on Wednesday will begin at 5.55pm in the UK, although all fixtures on the final matchday will be played simultaneously.
In the Europa League, kick-off times from the group stage until the last 16 will be at 5.55pm and 8pm, while the quarter-finals, semi-finals and final will start at 8pm.
Clubs may register three new eligible players to their squads after the group stages of both competitions without any restrictions. This is in line with the existing regulatory situation in the different domestic leagues, which does not impose restrictions on the eligibility for competitions of players registered for a new club during the winter transfer window.
Finally, teams who have won the Europa League or UEFA Cup three consecutive times or a minimum of five times in total may wear a multiple-winner badge on their shirt sleeve. Sevilla are currently the only team entitled to wear the badge next season, having won the Europa League on five occasions between 2006 and 2016.
The new rules come after several key changes were announced last month to the two competitions.
Twenty-six teams will now qualify directly for the Champions League group stage, leaving just six qualifying places available, but every side eliminated in qualifiers will have a second chance in the Europa League.
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