THE PREMIER LEAGUE will not follow the strict stoppage time rules that have been implemented at the World Cup, according to reports.
Referees in Qatar have been instructed to add back on all “unnatural lost time” at the end of each half by Fifa referees’ chief Pierluigi Collina.
World Cup games across the first four days lasted an average 102 minutes and 42 seconds
Pierluigi Collina has introduced measures to clamp down on timewasting at the World Cup
That has resulted in some lengthy periods of stoppage time, with England’s World Cup opener against Iran lasting an astonishing 117 minutes.
On average games for the first four days of the World Cup have lasted a remarkable 102 minutes and 42 seconds.
That is four minutes longer than the Premier League average this season.
But the PGMOL have no plans to adjust their timekeeping rules, report the Daily Mail.
Domestic referees have instead been advised to encourage players to get on with the game and to delay restarting their watch after a break in play.
Despite the Premier League’s stance former referee Mark Halsey believes the days of 90-minute football matches are over.
Halsey argues that injuries, VAR, subs, penalties and yellow and red cards have added significant time on to the clock.
And that is having a knock-on effect for players, sparking concerns about the risk of injuries, fatigue and burnout.
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The international players’ union Fifpro believes greater protection is needed for players amid longer matches being played.
Fifpro general secretary Jonas Baer-Hoffmann said: “If effective playing time is increased by 10 to 15 per cent, this adds substantially to the time under physical competition for players.
“More than anything it underlines again how critical workload protection is for players. It needs to be established now.”
