Ex-Fifa official demands huge Liverpool overhaul as worst-ever analysis emerges – ‘this has to happen’
Keith Hackett has claimed Liverpool and the other 19 Premier League clubs would benefit from the introduction of independent time-keepers and a countdown clock as time-wasting reaches its worst-ever level.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the ex-Fifa and Premier League referee also backed a move to a 60-minute game – with time pausing every time the ball goes out of play.
As per analysis from Sky Sports (13 January), the ball has been in play for less than 56% of an average Premier League match this season – the lowest figure on record.
It is claimed that 23 top-flight games this season have seen the ball in play for less than 45 minutes of a 90-minute match.
IFAB (The International Football Association Board) meet this week (18 January) to discuss potential changes to football’s laws, and possible measures to increase the net playing time will be reviewed.
The World Cup in Qatar saw inflated amounts of stoppage time added to counteract injury stoppages and time-wasting – a move which was met with largely positive reviews from fans and pundits alike.
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has been among the Premier League managers to speak out against disruptive tactics this season.
Hackett told Football Insider’s Ewan Kingsbury: “Over the last 10 years, I’ve raised this a number of times.
“I could see the declining amount of minutes in games while I was boss of the PGMOL.
“I was also aware of the increase of time-wasting, and the tactical time consuming which takes place in every game.
“Teams go to places like Man City and Liverpool – and they try and slow everything down. That’s by delaying goal kicks, free-kicks, throw-ins.
“I think the game has to move to an independent time-keeper. We need a countdown clock in the stadium – and it has to be 30 minutes per half.
“This has to happen. It operated very successfully when I refereed in the US all the way back in the 1980’s.
“If we move to a 60-minute game, it’s a big step – but it’s much better than where we are at the moment.”
In other news, pundit claims Liverpool dressing room is in mutiny as stars “point the finger”.