2021.2.12

2021 Season – Notice Regarding Matches and Competition Rules

The J.LEAGUE has announced that the Board of Directors confirmed the following protocols for official matches conducted during the 2021 season.

■Competitions in Scope
2021 MEIJI YASUDA J1 LEAGUE, 2021 J.LEAGUE YBC Levain CUP, FUJI XEROX SUPER CUP 2021

Number of Substitutions (Same as 2020 season)

The COVID-19 crisis places an enormous burden on players in the 2021 season, and requires a tight competition schedule. The following rules will therefore be applied to help prevent player injury:
• Up to five substitutes (up to three times of substitution per match, excluding half-time)

Cooling Breaks

The COVID-19 crisis places an enormous burden on players in the 2021 season, and players cannot share water bottles due to the need to prevent infection, making it difficult for them to hydrate during matches. To alleviate this burden, the following rules will be applied:
• In principle, regardless of the WBGT (Wet Bulb Globe Temperature), one cooling break will be implemented in the first and second half of the match
• If both teams agree, it is possible to not take the cooling break (If the WBGT Index standard is not exceeded)
• These rules will be applied until the end of July, 2021. The conditions will be reevaluated for matches held from August onwards