England's Football Association has announced they will be implementing a new rule for the 2016/17 FA Cup that allows for a fourth substitution to take place.

Football as we know it has already changed a fair bit over the past year.

From passing the ball backwards at kick-off to facing a red card for swearing at the ref, the game’s top brass is set to introduce another major rule change.

In next year’s FA Cup, teams will now be able to make four substitutions during a match.

The new rule will only come into effect from the quarter-finals onwards, with a fourth switch only allowed in extra-time.

The format, subject to approval from the International Football Association Board, was trialled in the Copa America Centenario finals in the United States in June

FA chief exec Martin Glenn said: "It is important the FA continues to look at how it can further add to the drama and spectacle of a competition loved by millions around the world," FA chief executive Martin Glenn told the organisation's official website.

"With the cup now adopting a straight knockout format from the quarter finals onwards, the introduction of a fourth substitute in extra-time will bring extra intrigue and interest.

"Also, from a technical point of view, it will be interesting to see how managers use the chance to make an additional substitution in such high-profile games and the impact it has on the final result. 

"Player welfare and being mindful of the number of games people play at the elite level has also been a consideration."

England's Football Association recently introduced another change to the rule book that allows for referees to produce a red card for any player that verbally abuses them.

This season's competition gets under way on Friday, 5 August when 184 preliminary matches take place.