Stoppage time

[Lineker]

One of the things our American friends do correctly (IMO) is timekeeping in sports. Average length of time the ball is in play in a Premier League game is about 55 mins apparently. Make it a 60 min game, but stop the clock whenever the ball isn't in play - on average you'll see more time the ball is in play, it would mean time wasting tactics aren't worthwhile and it would take the subjective nature out of referees adding more time when big clubs need a goal etc.

I agree with the sentiment behind this, but it is ultimately at odds with the laws of the game.

IFAB has always held that what applies at the top level applies at the grass roots. You could technically have VAR for 8u girls recreational, in which case entering the VAR room would be a booking.

What you don't always have at the grass roots though is multiple referees, including one whose responsibility is time keeping.

It would be manageable to do rugby style stopping the clock, but not for every stoppage American style for the sole referee.

There's probably some cultural commentary about Americans vs English/Europeans in there somewhere.

 

[Toffeepot]

Ye cos I’m not a helmet

No i imagine you aren't a helmet. Just a man/woman that makes definitive statements on something they know nothing about.