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A substitute is a player in football (soccer) who is brought on to the pitch during a match in exchange for an existing player. Substitutions are generally made to replace a player who has become tired, injured or who is not performing well, or for other tactical reasons such as bringing an attacker on in place of a defender when goals are required.

As early as the qualifying phase for the 1934 World Cup, substitutions were permitted during games, by mutual agreement of the two teams. For example, in the Irish Free State–Belgium match, substitutes were permitted for any reason in the first half, and for injured players in the second half.

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Substitutions during English league matches were first permitted in the 1965-66 season. During the first two seasons after the law was introduced, each side was permitted only one substitution during a game. Moreover the substitute could only replace an injured player. From the 1967-68 season, this rule was relaxed to allow substitutions for tactical reasons. A recent term, "super-sub" refers to a substitution made by the Coach (or Manager) that subsequently saves the game, e.g. by scoring a winning goal.

On August 21, 1965, Keith Peacock of Charlton Athletic became the first substitute used in the Football League when he replaced injured goalkeeper Mike Rose eleven minutes into their away match against Bolton Wanderers.

Archie Gemmill of St Mirren was the first substitute to come on in a Scottish first-class match, on August 13 1966 in a League Cup tie against Clyde when he replaced Jim Clunie after 23 minutes. [1]

In recent years, the number of substitutes permitted in Football League matches has gradually increased, at present each team is permitted to name five or seven substitutes depending on the country and competition, of which a maximum of three may be used.

According to the Laws of the Game (2005) [2]:

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).

A player who has been substituted may take no further part in a match.

Both people nominated as substitutes though not yet used and players who have been substituted remain under the authority of the referee, and are liable for misconduct, though can not be said to have committed a foul.

Under the Laws, the referee has no specific power to force a player to be substituted, even if the team manager or captain has ordered their player to be substituted. If a player refuses to be substituted play may simply resume with that player on the field. However, in some situations players may still be liable to punishment with a caution (yellow card) for time wasting or unsporting behaviour.

• Up to a maximum of three substitutes may be used in any match played in an official competition organised under the auspices of FIFA, the confederations or the member associations.
• The rules of the competition must state how many substitutes may be nominated, from two up to a maximum of seven.

• In national A team matches, up to a maximum of six substitutes may be used.
• In all other matches, a greater number of substitutes may be used provided that:
  • the teams concerned reach agreement on a maximum number;
  • the referee is informed before the match.
• If the referee is not informed, or if no agreement is reached before the match, no more than six substitutes are allowed.