Premier League games are heading towards the 100 minute mark.
FIFA referees’ boss Pierluigi Collina has confirmed a major clampdown on time wasting which will see World Cup style stoppage time brought into English football.
Former World Cup referee Collina even admitted he had studied last weekend’s Prem matches - and suggested referee Andy Madley had gone easy on Manchester United by not adding on more time at the end of their 7-0 drubbing at Liverpool. Incredibly, only one minute was added at the end of the first half and just three minutes at full time.
Lawmakers IFAB have already given the green light to add more time for key elements on substitutions, goal celebrations, injuries, VAR delays and penalties and red cards.
FIFA wants to increase the amount of time the ball is actually in play which was the purpose of the injury time played at the World Cup last year with games regularly going over 100 minutes.
Collina said: “The criteria we have fixed was clear and the additional time given at the World Cup was well received. We saw four matches in the Premier League which were over 100 minutes last weekend.
“Two more should have had more additional time but they finished 4-0 and 7-0 and the referee decided not to give extra time added on.
“But at the World Cup, we had one game, Spain-Costa Rica which was 6-0 at 90 minutes and the extra goal scored could have been very important in deciding the Group. That is why it is always important to add the right time.”
