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Raphael Varane, the Manchester United centre-back, has voiced concerns over the Premier League's recent guidelines about calculating added time and player conduct. Despite feedback from global competitions suggesting the accuracy of stoppage time calculations, including for goal celebrations and VAR inspections, the defender believes these changes put players under undue strain.
In the recent Community Shield clash, Arsenal capitalized on these new rules by equalizing against Manchester City during the 11th of the 13 additional minutes, eventually triumphing in the penalty shootout. While the International Football Association Board praised the new methodology after its debut in the Qatar men's World Cup last year, Varane laments the changes as they exert more pressure on players.
Expressing his concerns on Twitter, he remarked, "Despite our previous feedback, they are now recommending longer games, more intensity, and muted emotions from players for next season. Why aren't our perspectives taken into account?" He had previously described the constant demands of top-tier football as akin to “being in a washing machine”.
Statistics from FIFA indicate that the average added time in the Qatar World Cup was 10 minutes and 11 seconds, representing a rise from the preceding tournament in Russia. Nonetheless, effective play duration also saw an enhancement. FIFPRO, the global player's union, has cautioned about the repercussions of such extended times, equating it to a load of nearly three supplementary matches annually for the busiest players.
Varane concluded, "I genuinely feel these modifications are jeopardizing our sport. Our goal is to consistently deliver peak performances for our fans. It's vital for us, both players and managers, to underscore these pressing concerns, as our intention is to safeguard the sport we cherish."
In related news, Varane's comments about players exhibiting "fewer emotions" allude to the recently announced conduct code, aiming to refine behaviour across the sport's spectrum in England. The Professional Footballers’ Association has reportedly played a part in crafting this new directive. It necessitates referees to exhibit firmness when players collectively dispute decisions and emphasizes severe financial consequences for players and coaches who continually disrespect officials. There is also a more stringent stance against fan misconduct.
