New techhnical changes ahead of 2021/22 Ghana Premier League season

The 2021/22 Ghana Premier League has been launched yesterday at the headquarters of the Ghana Football Association [GFA].

The new season kick-off on Friday with debutant Accra Lions hosting Elmina Sharks at the Accra Sports Stadium.

Ahead of the campaign, the Ghana Premier League has adopted the five substitution rule for the upcoming 2021/22 season after reaching an agreement with the 18 Premier League clubs.

This follows the decision of FIFA’s law-makers - International Football Association Board (IFAB) the option of increasing substitutes to protect player welfare amid a congested fixture schedule in response to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic to complete the 2019/20 season.

A number of Leagues across the globe adopted the rule when football returned in the 2019/20 season allowing teams to use five substitutes instead of the standard three – and Ghana will now follow in the footsteps of the other League like the EPL, SPL, La-Liga among others.

This rule will be in place for the entire 2021/22 season which is set to commence on Friday, October 29, 2021, and run through to Sunday, June 19, 2022.

Summary:

• 5 Substitutions introduced - 3 chances to make the 5 subs
• Match Day squad up from 18 to 20 players
• Clubs now allowed 9 subs on the bench from 7
• Clubs allowed to register up to 40 players - 10 of the 40 must be below age 17

Meanwhile, the winner of the 2021/22 Premier League will earn GHC 250,000 as prize money at the end of the season.

The League winner will take home a trophy and cash prize of GHC 250,000 and 40 gold medals whiles the 1^st and 2^nd Runner up receive GHC 150,000, 40 silver medals and GHC 80,000, 40 Bronze medals respectively.

This season's league will also receive a major boost in the area of Television coverage as official broadcast right holder StarTimes are set to invest $1 million in production and promotion of the elite competition. Over 150 live games will be broadcast across the globe.