UEFA competition will not use the new stoppage-time regulations that English soccer implemented this season in an attempt to save time, according to Zvonimir Boban, the head of football for the European governing body, who made this announcement on Wednesday.
The English referees association said in July that officials will add on the precise amount of time lost to goal celebrations, substitutions, and injuries, in line with FIFA’s methodology during the men’s and women’s World Cups.
With games often lasting longer than 100 minutes overall, the goal is to extend the amount of time the ball is in play.
The new strategy has drawn criticism from players’ union FIFPRO, Manchester United defender Raphael Varane, and midfielder Kevin De Bruyne of Manchester City. They claim it would add to the already demanding schedule of players.
Former Croatian and AC Milan player Boban told reporters in Monaco, “It’s absolutely absurd.”
In terms of player welfare, the fact that we are adding almost 12, 13, and 14 minutes is either a minor tragedy or a major disaster.
I can speak from experience, particularly as a midfielder, when I say that after playing for 60 or 65 minutes, the final 30 minutes of the game is when you feel exhausted. And after that, someone arrives and adds fifteen more minutes.
“How often have we discussed the schedule and too many games in a negative light? The coaches and players are not being heard by us. It’s absurd. We’ll not do this since it’s too much. Our rules are not the same.
Boban received support from Chief Referee Roberto Rosetti of UEFA, who said that the organization has been attempting to lengthen the duration of play throughout its championships for the last five years.
Rosetti said, “There’s more at stake than the precision of extra time.” “Why is the Champions League so popular among people? Players never stop because it’s so amazing and intense.
“Our referees are instructed to accelerate play restarts rather than concentrating on stoppage time.”
“DECISION BY THE PLAYER”
In a statement released on Thursday, FIFPRO said that it approved of UEFA’s strategy and that “players and unions” were being heard by the European governing body.
FIFPRO Europe President David Terrier said, “This is an excellent player-centric decision which will make a difference for footballers across Europe.”
“Our mutual commitment to improving player welfare is exemplified by our productive cooperation with UEFA.”
Player workload is a major concern for players, according to Maheta Molango, the head of the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) in England, who has previously criticized the rules.
“It cannot be sustained at all. They are obviously having to make some pretty tough choices around how to safeguard their own fitness and well-being,” said Molango.
“(Boban’s) remarks demonstrate that he understands.”