Shocking new figures are showing that the ball-in-play time in the Premier League this season is the lowest it has been for 12 years.
It really is disgraceful that the game in which the Premier League is always claimed to be the best in the world has reached such a position.
And it means that promotion championships and relegation’s have been decided on games which are decided in games played sometimes half an hour or more less than the allotted 90 minutes.
It also shows that the prices being paid by us fans for season tickets are being devalued and we can’t help but agree something dramatic has to be done such as the introduction f a countdown clock!
The report has emerged in the Mail who say debate has raged over the issue in recent years and it became a big talking point during the World Cup in Qatar after FIFA urged referees to become stricter over the amount of time they added on for stoppages.
Former FA and Arsenal vice-chairman David Dein has proposed a countdown clock or the introduction of independent timekeeping in a document called ‘Pure Time’ to FIFA referee chiefs.
| Premier League season | Average ball-in-play time |
|---|---|
| 2022-2023 | 54 Min 49 Sec |
| 2021-2022 | 55 Min 8 Sec |
| 2020-2021 | 56 Min 22 Sec |
| 2019-2020 | 55 Min 49 Sec |
| 2018-2019 | 55 Min 31 Sec |
| 2017-2018 | 56 Min 11 Sec |
| 2016-2017 | 55 Min 51 Sec |
| 2015-2016 | 56 Min 1 Sec |
| 2014-2015 | 56 Min 22 Sec |
| 2013-2014 | 56 Min 43 Sec |
| 2012-2013 | 56 Min 23 Sec |
| 2011-2012 | 55 Min 53 Sec |
| 2010-2011 | 54 Min 16 Sec |
Dein is hoping they will at least discuss the issue at an annual International Football Association Board meeting scheduled for March with the hope of holding a trial at a tournament.
Why would you NOT discuss this issue? It’s absolutely ridiculous.
The split reaction to all the added time during the WC baffles me. Why would you NOT want to watch more football? Why would you NOT want to eradicate time wasting??
In Russia, VAR was a resounding success because they kept it simple and on-point. The EPL gets it and in typical English style, we believe we know best and overcomplicate it.
In Qatar, added time was (I believe) a resounding success because it stuck two fingers up at time wasting. Now, rather than following suit and just getting the job done, watch overpaid idiots in suits spend 2 years debating what is a clear and obvious problem to solve. I give up.