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Substitute Rule could affect trialists
A new FIFA rule which states that any team can only have six substitutes in friendlies could affect Hereford United games used to test the abilities of trialists.
Wholesale chages often occur during pre-season games take place so that everyone gets a run on the pitch but the new ruling appears to stop the practice.
The ruling, introduced to stop international matches descending into farce after a rash of substitutions, is thought to apply to all clubs.
The Exeter manager commented: "This a stupid new rule that has come from FIFA. Surely this was to stop the likes of Sven Goran Eriksson ruining internationals.
"It certainly mucks up our plans because we need to look at all our players during certain matches. This will prove a real headache."
And Jimmy Quinn, the Shrewsbury manager, told the Shropshire Star: "I found out about this rule this week and it is amazing.
"Pre-season is a chance to experiment and have a look at different things and this decision is hard to understand.
"All managers like to try systems, have a look at trialists and make plenty of changes to give lads a run out in pre-season and I can't see why they have put a limit on that.
"It's ludicrous and the last thing they are doing is helping the clubs and I know a lot of other managers think the same."