Premier League players, fans and referees revolt over 100-minute matches

Premier League players are in revolt over 100-minute matches, fearing physical and mental damage from the new referee directives on adding time for stoppages.

Kevin De Bruyne says Manchester City and Arsenal players were against the changes introduced by the International FA Board (IFAB) ahead of the Community Shield at the weekend, with even the match officials themselves questioning the latest guidelines.

Manchester United centre-back Raphael Varane has also angrily condemned the directives to add exact time lost to celebrations, substitutions, injuries, penalties and red cards, with fears  of injury and a harm to mental health as a result.

It led to matches lasting beyond 100 minutes at the World Cup and Arsenal scoring a 101st-minute equaliser at Wembley on Sunday. The Professional Footballers’ Association union has voiced its concerns over the matter, while fan groups are monitoring the disruption it will cause to travel after matches.

The new directive from football’s law-makers threatens to overshadow the start of the Premier League season this weekend when City face Burnley at Turf Moor, with De Bruyne insisting the extended matches illustrate a lack of care over player welfare.

“Assuming we’re going to play about 15 minutes extra every game now, that says it all,” said De Bruyne. “We spoke to the Arsenal players and even the referees. They don’t even want to do it, but it’s the new rule.

“You can only guess what’s going to happen if you play a lower team who keeps time-wasting all the time. At Wembley we played 12 to 13 minutes. I can see games going for 20-25 minutes [extra]. I think this will change in 1-2 months but this is the first game.”

“If we play Seville in Olympiakos on Wednesday (in the UEFA Super Cup) and have 15-20 extra minutes and then play on Saturday again, it’s like two lots of extra-time. We’ll see how it goes but it doesn’t make any sense.”

The new directive was first seen at the World Cup in Qatar last season when matches regularly went past the 100-minute mark. It adds to the PFA’s big concerns over a congested fixture schedule that is already pushing footballers to the limit.

In December 2021, the PFA sent a letter co-signed by senior Premier League and Women’s Super League captains to FIFA, highlighting serious issues with increased fixtures risking physical fatigue, mental burnout and increased risk of injury.

Varane highlighted how the new rules encourage less celebrating in the big moments during matches, while demanding more physically from players.

“We had a meeting last week with the FA. They recommended from the referees new decisions and rules,” wrote Varane on his social-media platforms.

“From the managers and players, we have shared our concerns for many years now that there are too many games, the schedule is overcrowded, and it’s at a dangerous level for players’ physical and mental well-being.

“Despite our previous feedback, they have now recommended for next season: longer games, more intensity, and less emotions to be shown by players. We just want to be in good condition on the pitch to give 100% to our club and fans. Why are our opinions not being heard?

“As a player I feel very privileged to do the job I love every day but I feel these changes are damaging our game. We want to be at our maximum level, the best we can be and put on amazing performances for fans to celebrate every week.

“I believe it is important that we, players and managers, highlight these important issues as we want to protect the game we love and give the fans our best.”

The Football Supporters’ Association are monitoring the situation and will speak to its members about their matchday experiences, with the new directives giving the potential for transport issues arising with match delays. Meanwhile, the issue adds to the PFA concerns over the amount and frequency of football being scheduled.

“Maheta (Molango, PFA CEO) has personally met and been speaking with a significant number of senior players and managers in the past few weeks, including Raphael (Varane), and there are concerns about how the new additional time rules will play out over a long season of league and cup games, as opposed to short tournaments,” said a PFA spokesperson.

“Across what is now essentially a year-long football season, players are already thinking of these additional minutes in terms of extra games being played. It also comes at a time when players are pushing back against what is, increasingly, a completely unsustainable football calendar.”