Rule-makers at the International FA Board (IFAB) are hoping to crack down on intentional time-wasting tactics and the actual playing time of games. In the proposed scheme, players would be forced to leave the pitch via the nearest touchline, rather than slowly trudge to their technical area.
At present, Premier League matches average just 55 minutes and nine seconds of footballing action per 90 minutes. On top of that, nearly a quarter of matches are now seeing subs made after the 90-minute mark in a clear time-wasting strategy - a three per cent increase over seven seasons ago. Now law-makers are considering drastic measures to boost that number, according to The Times. One IFAB board member: “Looking at ways to cut down on time-wasting, speed up the game and increase playing time is one of our priorities. A rule to say there should be no substitutions during added-on time is an interesting one and could work well. Referees add on 30 seconds for a substitution but in practice it can eat up a lot more time than that." However, the IFAB member did claim there would be potential problems with the law-change. The member added: "There would need to be trials to see if there are any unforeseen ramifications. Would it be fair, for example, if a player suffered a broken leg in injury time and couldn’t be replaced? But you already have the case where they couldn’t be replaced anyway if the three substitutes had already been used.”
In another bid to speed up the game, IFAB are considering allowing goalkeepers to pass to players in their own area. On top of that, free-kicks may be allowed to be taken with the ball still moving rather than at a complete standstill to boost the pace of the match. All proposals will be discussed at IFAB's advisory panels next month ahead of March's annual meeting.