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Dreadful “ball in play time” figures revealed

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The ball-in-play time in the Premier League this season is the lowest total it's been for 12 years

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.

Figures as show in Mail
How this season compares to others 
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.

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Hugh Southon is a lifelong Iron and the founding editor of ClaretandHugh. He is a national newspaper journalist of many years experience and was Bobby Moore's 'ghost' writer during the great man's lifetime. He describes ClaretandHugh as "the Hammers daily newspaper!"

Follow on Twitter @hughsouthon

1 comment

  • Mr Buddy Lurve says:

    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.

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