The new Premier League season will see a change in stoppage time calculation, as referees have been issued fresh directives to reduce match length.
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New rules for added time introduced30 seconds to be allowed for goal celebrations Aims to bring down the match length to 100 minutesWHAT HAPPENED?
The change has been formulated in response to growing concerns over the increasing duration of Premier League games, which last season averaged around 101 minutes and 35 seconds. One of the central changes in the new guidelines is the introduction of a 30-second rule following each goal. Under this new directive, referees will allow a standard 30 seconds for teams to reposition themselves after a goal is scored before adding any additional stoppage time for celebrations or VAR checks.
AdvertisementGettyTHE BIGGER PICTURE
This adjustment is expected to shorten the duration of games by around 1 minute and 30 seconds per match, assuming the average of 3.1 goals per game from last season holds true this campaign. The aim is to bring match lengths closer to the 100-minute mark, reducing the extensive stoppage times that have become increasingly common in recent years.
WHAT THE PREMIER LEAGUE SAID
Tony Scholes, the Premier League's chief football officer, provided clarity on the changes, stating, "Last season, we added on every second from when the ball hit the back of the net until the restart. In 2024-25, we are not going to add on the first 30 seconds because 30 seconds is the natural time it would take the two teams to get back in position for the restart after a goal."
This new approach aligns with the Premier League's broader efforts to streamline the game and maintain a balance between accurate timekeeping and the natural flow of the match. Scholes' comments highlight a pragmatic approach, acknowledging the time teams naturally take to reorganize after scoring, without artificially inflating stoppage time.
DID YOU KNOW?
The Premier League's decision to alter stoppage time calculations comes in the context of differing approaches by football's governing bodies. While English football has followed FIFA's lead in implementing more rigorous stoppage time calculations, UEFA has taken a contrasting route, resulting in shorter match durations in both the Champions League and Euro 2024.