Zvonimir Boban, UEFA’s director of professional football, expressed his anger at the decision to extend the average length of extra time and attacked Pierluigi Collina and FIFA.
The issue of actual playing time (the actual amount of time the ball is in play in a game) has come to increasing attention in recent years, and many seem dissatisfied with the fact that the ball is only in play for two minutes in some games is. -Third of 90 minutes.
At last year’s World Cup in Qatar, it quickly became clear that FIFA was testing the idea of more precise overtime periods, with some periods lasting longer than 10 minutes. This has continued domestically, an example being Tottenham’s recent victory over Sheffield United.
In statements to Marca via TMW, Boban weighed in on the matter, criticizing FIFA and Collina, who sits on the FIFA Referees Committee.
“They made this decision on their own, without consulting the teams or the players, who are currently experiencing the most difficult moment of the game in the last half hour and now, in an already overly busy schedule, also realize that they are extending extra time. “disproportionate.
“Collina and FIFA don’t care, but football doesn’t belong to them, but to those who love it. I have known the former referee for years and we have always worked together positively, but now he must put his ego aside for the good of the sport.
“As far as UEFA competitions are concerned, we will not follow these guidelines, they are anti-football and endanger the health of players.”
The average length of extra time in the Champions League, Europa League and Conference League this season remains to be seen.
