<P> In later years, the number of substitutes permitted in Football League matches has gradually increased; at present each team is permitted to name either five or seven substitutes depending on the country and competition, of which a maximum of three may be used . In England, the Premier League increased the number of players on the bench to five in 1996, and it was announced that the number available on the bench would be seven for the 2008--09 season . </P> <P> According to the Laws of the Game (2018 / 19): </P> <P> A player may only be substituted during a stoppage in play and with the permission of the referee . The player to be substituted (outgoing player) must have left the field of play before the substitute (incoming player) may enter the field of play; at that point the substitute becomes a player and the person substituted ceases to be a player . The incoming player may only enter the field at the half - way line . Failure to comply with these provisions may be punished by a caution (yellow card). </P> <P> A player who has been substituted may take no further part in a match . </P>

When can a player be substituted in soccer