Premier League stars turned against the new rules on stoppage time on Monday amid fears that longer games will cause burn-out.
Manchester United defender Raphael Varane led the backlash, warning of the ‘dangerous’ and ‘damaging’ effects of referees adding on too much time.
Manchester City’s Kevin De Bruyne weighed into the debate by claiming that the new guidelines make no sense and that even match officials don’t like them.
It followed a weekend of marathon football fixtures which ended with Sunday’s Community Shield between City and Arsenal lasting nearly 106 minutes.
Referee Stuart Attwell also booked Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta as part of a crackdown on dissent among managers and players.
Varane is worried that footballers being forced to play longer and keep their emotions in check could have a detrimental effect on their physical and mental health.
The United defender posted a message on social media saying: ‘From the managers and players, we have shared our concerns for many years now that there are too many games, the schedule is overcrowded and it’s at a dangerous level for players’ physical and mental wellbeing.
‘Despite our previous feedback, they have now recommended for next season: longer games, more intensity, and less emotions to be shown by players.
‘We just want to be in good condition on the pitch to give 100 per cent to our club and fans. Why are our opinions not being heard?
‘I feel these changes are damaging our game. I believe it is important that we highlight these important issues as we want to protect the game we love and give the fans our best.’
The new directive on stoppage time has come from the International Football Association Board, having been in force at the World Cup in Qatar last year.
It meant the first weekend of the new EFL season saw an average of 16 minutes and 34 seconds of added time across both halves.
At Wembley, three minutes were added on at the end of the first half and eight at the end of the second — which extended to more than 13 after Thomas Partey and Kyle Walker needed treatment.
Arsenal equalised in the 101st minute before winning a shootout, and City manager Pep Guardiola joked that teams will still be playing at 8am the following morning.
Guardiola claimed the IFAB hadn’t consulted managers and players, although it is understood that referees’ chief Howard Webb has spent pre-season visiting each Premier League club to explain the new guidelines.
City star De Bruyne voiced his concerns about the impact longer games will have on players.
The Treble winners played 61 fixtures last season and face an even tougher schedule this term with next week’s UEFA Super Cup against Sevilla in Athens and the FIFA Club World Cup in December to add on.
‘Assuming we’re going to play about 15 minutes extra every game now, that says it all,’ said De Bruyne.
‘We spoke to the Arsenal players and even the referees. They don’t even want to do it, but it’s the new rule and it is what it is.
‘You can only guess what’s going to happen if you play a lower team who keep time- wasting all the time.
‘I’m thinking if we play Sevilla on Wednesday and have 15 to 20 extra minutes, and then play on Saturday again (at home to Newcastle), it’s like two times extra time. We’ll see how it goes but it doesn’t make any sense.’
In Sunday’s Championship match between Sunderland and Ipswich, 13 minutes were added on at the end.
‘It will be tough to get used to,’ admitted Ipswich boss Kieran McKenna. ‘I understand why they’re trying to do it but it means it’s a long game.
‘I’m sure the referees will review how it’s going after a few weeks and hopefully come to a sensible middle ground where we see lots of ball play and action and stamp out any deliberate time-wasting.’
Sunderland manager Tony Mowbray added: ‘Is that what football is going to be like now — 13 minutes added on? Is it right? I’m not sure. Managers getting booked and sent off for ridiculous things. Is this what we have to do for the next 40 weeks? Goodness me. I feel for the referees.’
Vector007
1124
so all I need to beat man city is to waste time when they're winning me in order to gain more time to equalize them .. WISDOM 😂😂
jamrockballer
956
These people who can't see what the players are saying has never played football. players tend to commit more fouls and are more likely to get injured when they are tired. 15 minutes more playing time is 1/6 more playing time. meaning they will play one extra match for every 6 match played. So now a season of 60 matches now becomes 70.
bahudrick
885
I really don't see why this rule has to be a prob cuz it's for the both teams advantages and disadvantages. if u are winning, u can add more goals which is good , if u are losing u can get something from the game. so it's for the both teams advantage. it will favour all teams in qstn at one point in time During the season. let's watch and see and even the ppl complaining will at a point b happy or sad
Betapidkin
469
KDB and Raphael will explain, explain till they get tired [Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh]
konbckmpty
253
And don’t forget there was once a “silver goal” rule. It didn’t work so they got rid of it. So it goes to show this may not be a permanent rule if it disrupts the game too much. my personal opinion is the clock should stop once the ball is out of play , then be unpaused when the ball is in play again. That is the only way you will get a completely accurate time as in 90 minutes played to the second. Or does that just make too much sense? or is that what they even want ? do they want to be able to manufacture time at the end of each individual match rather than having a indisputable number of minutes in every football match? I think I may be going down a rabbit hole here.
konbckmpty
251
I remember when you used to be able to pass back to the keeper and he could pick it up and drop it and pick it up when a defender approached him again and then drop it when he went and waste another five minutes despite this everybody still moaned when they stopped the keeper from being able to pick the ball up from a defenders pass. We will get used to it. It’s just the thing is because a lot you fans are newer to the .Seeing major rules changes for the first time it’s going to be difficult. The game I watched Growing up is almost unrecognisable !old matches were faster. More aggressive. It was a very different game but nothing stays the same. That’s the evolution of the game. By it’s very nature….. The beautiful game!
fihadloy
251
The players themselves are the cause of the time extension. Many try to cheat by wasting time and feigning injury which does not exist. We have seen players wriggling in terrible agony only to grin or smile when the opposition player is booked. Those complaining should call a meeting amongst captains of each team and address the time wasting and cheating among players. The authorities want to use those regulations to minimise or curb frivolities from players. The rate of back passing reduced when goalkeepers are mandated to use their legs to touch or play the ball rather than catch with the hands as it was before. I am sure many of our youngsters today never knew all back passing was catched with the hands by goalkeepers but that rule was changed and it helped to improve footballing that was turning to be so monotonous via back passing. FIFA must not change the rules on time wasting, any footballer afraid of burning out should look for another profession.
Melmaximg
243
So you guys think the millions of dollars that clubs are playing your fall from the sky? some fans work over 8-10 hours a day and they give their money to these clubs to pay you guys. you play for 2 hours and not everyday but take home thousands of dollars weekly and you are complaining? resign and become join the military and see how much you will take home...
Hansonid007
121
This is How Manchester united will play this season. 😂😂😂😂