Varane opposes Premier League prolonging matches

"We just met with the FA last week," Varane wrote on social media on August 7. "Despite our previous feedback, they now offer a variety of proposals ahead of the new season: longer matches, more intense and the players have to keep their emotions under control. We just want something. good conditions on the pitch to give 100% to the club and the fans. Why are our opinions not being heard?".

According to the French midfielder, the players and coaches are worried about the packed schedule with too many matches over the years. Varane emphasized the schedule is at a dangerous level for the physical and mental health of the players.

However, the organizers still approved that the Premier League will apply additional compensation rules from the 2023-2024 season. Accordingly, the umpires will determine the total time the ball is dead due to interruptions, such as goals, celebrations, substitutions, injuries or free kick preparations, and make up at the end of each half. Each match is therefore likely to last more than 100 minutes, instead of 90 minutes.

"As a player, I'm honored to be doing what I love every day, but I also see these changes being harmful to football," Varane continued. "We want to be at the highest level possible and deliver great performances for the fans to celebrate every week. I believe it is important for the players and coaches to highlight these important issues. , to protect football and give the best for the fans".

The English Super Cup match between Man City and Arsenal at Wembley Stadium on August 6 was the first match at the highest level of English football to apply this new rule.

Man City took the lead thanks to Cole Palmer's save in the 77th minute, but let Arsenal equalize in the 11th minute with Leandro Trossard's deflected kick. Before that, the head-to-head phase between Kyle Walker and Thomas Partey caused both of them to bleed so they needed medical attention, prompting referee Stuart Attwell to increase the compensation time. Entering the penalty shootout, Arsenal won 4-1 and won the 17th English Super Cup.

After the game, coach Pep Guardiola complained about the long stoppage time and sarcastic that the players were likely to have to play until 8am the next morning. Coach Mikel Arteta expressed interest in English football's application of the same rules as the 2022 World Cup when emphasizing that clubs would not be able to buy time.

Meanwhile, Kevin de Bruyne said even the referee didn't like the new rule. The Man City midfielder said: "Today, we played about 12, 13 minutes. You can guess what will happen if you play against a weaker club and often buy time. I can see matches like this. So it's going to be 20, 25 minutes. I think that's going to change in a month or two, but this is the first game."

Championship - the second division of the English football pyramid - also applies this new rule from the 2023-2024 season. The Championship's first round last weekend saw an average of 16 minutes and 34 seconds of injury time for both halves. In particular, the match between Sunderland and Ipswich Town had 13 minutes of injury time in the second half.

Many Championship coaches also reacted to the change from the FA. QPR manager Gareth Ainsworth told BBC Sport: "People who have probably never played football have come up with some of these rules. I think there will be some mid-season review of these rules, because I see it. inefficient".

Charlton Athletic coach Dean Holden agreed with the suggestion of more game time, but believes other improvements can be made.