UEFA to Relax Champions League Player Registration Rules from Next Season

UEFA has announced a number of new changes that will come into effect in the UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League next season, one of which will allow clubs to register previously ineligible January signings into their squads. 

The governing body announced the news on its official website on Tuesday. In a bid to bring its regulations in line with domestic leagues, UEFA will now allow clubs to register three new players with no restrictions in place.

Previously, players who played in the group stage of the Champions League were ineligible to play for a different team in the knockout phase if they switched clubs in January.

For example, Philippe Coutinho will not play in the competition for Barcelona this season because of his involvement in it with Liverpool before Christmas. 

Alberto Saiz/Associated Press

Among the other changes to take place, clubs will be permitted a fourth substitution should they enter extra time in knockout matches.

Meanwhile, 12 substitutes can be named for the Champions League and Europa League finals—as well as the UEFA Super Cup—in a 23-man squad, up from the current total of 18.

Kick-off times have also been adjusted to 9 p.m. CET (8 p.m. in the UK), though two group matches every Tuesday and Wednesday will be played at 6:55 p.m. CET.

UEFA have also made one further allowance, albeit it only affects Sevilla at this moment in time:

Clubs will likely welcome the changes in relation to extra-time substitutions and squad sizes for the finals, as they will afford "coaches more flexibility regarding substitutes, and facilitate their squad management for the most important fixture of the season."

So too will the relaxation of registration rules prove useful. Barcelona would no doubt have liked to have Coutinho available in the Champions League this year, but it won't be a problem should they recruit reinforcements next January from a European rival.

The earlier kick-offs could be an issue for fans attending European clashes on British soil, however, as they will take place at 5:55 p.m. in the UK.