Keith Hackett

Wed 1 February 2023 13:00, UK

Keith Hackett has insisted fans of Newcastle United and other Premier League clubs will continue to be “short-changed” after football’s lawmakers rejected the introduction of a countdown clock to improve timekeeping.

Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the ex-Fifa and Premier League referee accused top-flight chiefs of “not addressing the issue”.

In Newcastle’s 2-1 League Cup semi-final win over Southampton on Tuesday (31 January), the ball was in play for only around 230 seconds (35%) of the 10 added minutes in second-half stoppage time.

As per the Daily Mail (as of 12 January), the average in-play time in the Premier League is at its lowest point this season – with teams playing out just 54 minutes and 13 seconds of action.

Nevertheless, last month the IFAB (International Football Association Board) ruled against introducing a countdown clock – and will instead advise referees to add more stoppage time as seen at the Qatar World Cup.

The lawmakers also rejected a trial of temporary concussion substitutes in the Premier League.

Hackett told Football Insider’s Ewan Kingsbury: “I don’t think these changes are enough.

“We’ve got laws which state the goalkeeper should get rid of the ball in six seconds if he has possession of it. It’s just not applied.

“It’s a step to bring it to attention, but it’s not addressing the issue.

“We started off in good intentions at the World Cup, but it fizzled out.

“I think the Premier League, EFL, and PGMOL have to understand their responsibility to provide fans with sufficient entertainment.

“They’re being short-changed.

“Some games in the Premier League are less than 45 minutes of action.

“The law is clear about time-wasting and delaying the restart. It’s got to be added on.

“They’re a mile from adding on enough time at the moment.

“For me, the answer has to be an independent time-keeper and a countdown clock.”

In other news, finance guru claims Newcastle will pocket £15m from “huge” Premier League change.