Manchester United defender Raphael Varane has expressed his displeasure with the new guidelines on added time and conduct in this season’s Premier League. Varane criticized the changes, stating that players’ opinions are not being heard. The updated regulations aim to more accurately calculate time lost due to stoppages, including goal celebrations and VAR checks. However, this has caused controversy, with Arsenal equalizing in the 11th minute of added time during the Community Shield match against Manchester City and eventually winning on penalties.
During a meeting with the Football Association (FA), Varane and other players voiced their concerns over an overcrowded schedule, which they believe poses physical and mental well-being risks. Despite their feedback, the new recommendations include longer games, increased intensity, and a demand for players to show less emotion. Varane called for players and managers to have a say in these important matters to protect the game they love and provide the best experience for fans.
The changes to added time rules have been implemented to tackle time-wasting and increase effective playing time. FIFA found that the average duration of added time during the World Cup in Qatar was 10 minutes and 11 seconds, an increase from the previous tournament in Russia. However, the global union for players, FIFPRO, has raised concerns about the additional workload these changes pose on players, equating it to three extra games per season for those with the heaviest schedules.
The English players’ union, the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA), shares these concerns. PFA CEO Maheta Molango has been engaging with senior players and managers about their worries regarding the new added time rules, particularly over the duration of a long season with league and cup fixtures. The PFA also highlighted the broader issue of an already unsustainable football calendar.
Varane emphasized that while he feels privileged to play the sport he loves, he believes these changes are damaging to the game. He expressed the players’ desire to perform at their peak level and provide fans with exciting performances every week. Varane’s comment about less emotions to be shown by players appears to reference a new code of conduct aimed at improving behavior on and off the pitch, which includes consequences for players, coaches, and fans who engage in abusive behavior.
