Recently, according to the latest report of the British media “The Times”, in order to increase the game time of football matches, the international
The AFC may introduce a countdown clock that is started and stopped by an independent timekeeper.
The issue of timekeeping is expected to be high on the agenda for the International Football Board (IFAB), which is understood to be discussing the idea at a business meeting in London on Wednesday.
Industry insiders say they will consider three options:
First, alternative methods for more accurately measuring race time, such as starting and stopping the countdown clock;
Second, FIFA adopted a stricter calculation method of game time in the World Cup in Qatar;
Third, a stricter or more consistent application of existing rules of the game, such as goalkeepers having a maximum of six seconds to hold the ball before kick-off.
The first, proposed by former Arsenal vice-chairman David Dunne, ambassador of the FA and the Premier League, was the most revolutionary.
It will do away with referee timing and instead use a publicly visible countdown clock on the field that will stop if there is a lengthy interruption of play.
IFAB will have to get a mandate to test Dunn’s idea at its annual shareholder meeting in March.
Given that it would be such a major change, it would take at least two years to implement – and only if the trial is deemed a success.
IFAB is made up of the four UK regional associations and FIFA, each with one vote and FIFA with four, with any proposal requiring a minimum of six votes to pass.
Meanwhile, IFAB officials will also look at the experience of the World Cup, where the average effective game time was 58 minutes – with much more stoppage time than usual at the end of the first half – compared to 55 in the Premier League this season.
Minutes and 18 seconds.
Another option is for officials to specify how much stoppage time the referees should allow for goal celebrations, penalties and game-impacting actions such as substitutions.
The third idea revolves around applying the existing rules of the game more strictly, which is something the Premier League has tried to do, and the main idea is to reduce the waste of games.
The IFAB will also hear reports on trials of a proposal put forward by FIFA’s head of global football development, Arsene Wenger, that offsides should only be awarded if there is sufficient space between attacking and defending players.
If those trials are deemed successful, there could be more trials in the larger race.
Another major item on the agenda is the concussion substitution quota.
The Premier League, Major League Soccer and Ligue 1 want to trial rugby-style substitutes, which would allow players with head injuries to undergo a 10-minute medical and return to action if they pass.
The meeting will hear feedback from World Cup and Premier League tests where players with suspected concussions could be allowed additional permanent substitutes.