Ex-Fifa official: Fans are being ‘cheated’ by Man United tactics as controversial footage analysed
Keith Hackett has claimed fans are being “cheated” by the likes of Man United after they used timewasting tactics during their 1-0 win over Wolves on Saturday (31 December).
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the ex-Fifa and Premier League referee suggested top-flight chiefs should bring in independent timekeepers or countdown clocks to ensure supporters get “value for money”.
As per footage from BT Sport‘s broadcast of the game (31 December), the ball was in play for only around two minutes and eight seconds of the five minutes and 18 seconds added on by referee Robert Jones.
Man United used the injury time period to make a double substitution, with Wolves boss Julen Lopetegui seeing his pleas for extra time to be added dismissed.
Speaking post-match and quoted by BirminghamLive, Lopetegui refused to criticise the referee’s performance but insisted his side deserved more added time after a “lot of breaks” in the closing stages of the game.
During last year’s World Cup in Qatar, FIFA referees adopted a stricter approach to adding on wasted time, but it has been reported that there are no plans for the Premier League to follow that directive.
Hackett told Football Insider’s Ewan Kingsbury: “The timekeeping is the responsibility of the referee.
“We know that the total play time is reducing in the Premier League. I’m disappointed that the league haven’t carried out what we’ve seen in the World Cup.
“I think they have to focus on fans getting value for money because they’re being cheated at the moment.
“There are a couple of potential solutions – a countdown clock, or an independent timekeeper.
“You could change it to a countdown clock and have two halves of 30 minutes.
“Given how much it costs fans to go and watch games, they’re not getting value.
“Man United made two substitutions during the added time against Wolves, but on five minutes – the referee blew up anyway.
“Referees have got to apply the laws better.”
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