A wind of change has quietly swept through the Premier League on this late August afternoon. According to The Times, the English Football Association has introduced an unprecedented change to match times in the prelude to the season. The changes have resulted in a tighter league schedule this season than in the past, however, not everyone is optimistic.
Although UEFA has yet to introduce this rule to the Champions League, the English Football Association's initiative has certainly had an exemplary effect in reducing the effects of match delays.
In August's Premier League fixtures, match lengths averaged 59 minutes and 20 seconds, an increase of almost five minutes from last season's 54 minutes and 52 seconds. The length of English Championship matches also increased from 52 minutes and 13 seconds to 57 minutes and 20 seconds, while the length of English Championship matches increased from 50 minutes and 07 seconds to 56 minutes and 12 seconds, and the length of English B team matches increased from 48 minutes and 02 seconds to 55 minutes and 17 seconds.
Referees in the Premier League have been given the responsibility of tighter timekeeping, and are required to keep accurate records of time lost due to goal celebrations, player injuries, substitutions and so on. Referees have also adopted a zero-tolerance attitude towards time-wasting players, with yellow cards becoming the new normal and warnings no longer being the limit of punishment.
The Officials in Charge of Professional Events Limited, which includes the Premier League, has released figures for the first month of the season showing a significant increase in effective playing time, which undoubtedly proves that the new policy is beginning to bear fruit.
In retrospect, both the men's and women's soccer World Cups have used similar timing methods, in the spirit of the International Federation of Association Football Council. However, according to inside sources, UEFA does not intend to extend this rule to other tournaments under its umbrella, such as the UEFA and UEFA.
However, as the length of matches has increased, matches of more than 100 minutes have become commonplace, which has sparked widespread concern among players and coaches. They were concerned that the players' bodies and minds would be put under tremendous pressure during long matches.
Midfield maestros De Bruyne and Varane have publicly voiced their concerns over the new rule, which they believe will have a detrimental effect on the physical and mental health of players. Their voices have also been backed by the Professional Footballers' Association of England and the International Players' Union, which has caused concern within UEFA. It is understood that UEFA could announce its next strategy at the Champions League draw in Monaco on Thursday.
