Time Wasted on League: The Impact of Accurate Timekeeping on the Game

When it comes to the beautiful game, time is a crucial aspect that can greatly impact the outcome of a match. In recent years, there has been a growing trend towards time wasting in various leagues around the world, including the Premier League and Champions League. This phenomenon has led to a decrease in overall match duration, leaving fans feeling shortchanged.

According to Italian referee Pierluigi Collina, who is widely regarded as one of the best referees in the world, time wasted on league matches can have serious consequences for the game. In an interview, Collina stated that more time should have been added to Liverpool's recent thrashing of Manchester United if new guidance had been applied properly. He believes that accurate timekeeping can help reduce time wasting and improve the overall flow of the match.

Collina, who has refereed several high-profile matches including World Cup finals and Champions League finals, emphasized the importance of accurate timekeeping in his latest book. He argues that players tend to waste more time when they know it is meaningless because they are not being penalized for their actions. However, with the introduction of VAR (Video Assistant Referee), players now realize that any time wasted will be added to the overall match duration.

To address this issue, the International Football Association Board (IFAB) has implemented a new system where the actual amount of time taken in five key areas - substitutions, player injuries, penalties and red cards, VAR and goal celebrations - is used when calculating overall stoppage time. This approach aims to reduce the amount of time wasted during matches.

Statistics have shown that Premier League matches have an effective time of 54.49 minutes, while Champions League matches have an effective time of 58.07 minutes. In contrast, Scottish Premier League matches have an average effective time of just 50.42 minutes. Collina believes that these statistics highlight the need for accurate timekeeping to ensure fans get value for their money.

In conclusion, time wasted on league matches can have serious consequences for the game and its fans. Accurate timekeeping is essential to reducing time wasting and improving the overall flow of the match. As Collina so aptly put it, 'I don't think someone wants to pay to watch a match that lasts 43 minutes.

Time wasted on league