Why were Real Madrid and Elche allowed to make six substitutions?
· Yahoo Sports
Real Madrid secured a comfortable 4-1 victory over Elche at the Santiago Bernabeu, but the match also included an unusual moment that left many fans confused during the game.
Normally, teams are allowed to make a maximum of five substitutions during a match.
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However, both Real Madrid and Elche ended up making six changes during the contest.
At first glance, the situation seemed strange, but the explanation lies in a specific rule related to player safety.
Why did they make six changes?
The extra substitution became possible because the referee applied the concussion protocol after a collision between Eduardo Camavinga and Aboubacar Sangare Traore.
The two players were involved in a head-to-head clash early in the match, forcing medical staff to intervene immediately.
Sangare required treatment on the sideline following the incident and was eventually substituted as a precaution.
Because the substitution was related to a potential concussion, the rules allow the affected team to make an additional change beyond the usual limit of five.
Real Madrid and Elche made six changes. (Photo by Florencia Tan Jun/Getty Images)
As a result, Elche were able to introduce a replacement earlier in the match without losing one of their regular substitutions.
In the official match report, referee Jesus Gil Manzano clarified exactly why the extra change was allowed. The official explained the situation involving the Elche player and the reason behind the additional substitution.
“Elche CF: Made an additional substitution due to a concussion in the 23rd minute, replacing player number 42, Aboubacar Sangare Traore, with player number 3, Adrián Pedrosa Giner,” he explained as reported by Mundo Deportivo.
Once Elche used the concussion substitution, the rules also allowed Real Madrid to make an extra change in order to maintain competitive balance between the two teams.
The referee also addressed this in the match report, clarifying how Real Madrid used their sixth substitution later in the game.
“Real Madrid CF: Made an additional substitution in the 61st minute, replacing player number 27, Diego Aguado Facio, with player number 3, Antonio Rudiger, due to the concussion substitution used by the opposing team.”
Although the rule is not frequently seen in matches, it exists to prioritise player safety when head injuries occur.