HOOFDDORP, Netherlands — The global football players' union says its members strongly support letting teams use a fourth substitute.
FIFA's rule-making panel, known as IFAB, asked for more research after twice recently rejecting a proposed additional substitute in extra time of knockout matches.
FIFPro says 84 percent of players it asked want a fourth substitute, either in extra time or the regulation 90 minutes of all matches.
FIFPro secretary general Theo van Seggelen says the survey "will challenge traditional views, but the players have one of the most important roles in this debate."
Of 244 FIFPro members asked, 119 agreed with fourth substitutes in extra time, and a further 86 favor using them in regulation time.
FIFPro's research has been shared with an IFAB advisory panel of former players.
