Pierluigi Collina, the head of refereeing for FIFA, has criticized the decision to end Manchester United’s 7-0 defeat at Liverpool after just three minutes of stoppage time. Despite six goals, ten substitutions, and several VAR reviews, referee Andy Madley only added three minutes of stoppage time to the second half. Collina believes that there should have been more added time, as two matches in the Premier League last weekend exceeded 100 minutes in total. Collina acknowledged that it may be difficult to understand why additional time should be given when a team is losing by such a large margin, but he emphasized that even one goal scored or not scored can make a difference in the final rankings.
Collina previously orchestrated a clampdown on time-wasting at the 2022 World Cup, which saw significant amounts of additional time added. Studies have shown that the ball is in play for less than 56% of the time in the Premier League this season, but the English top-flight is not yet following FIFA’s strict directive. President Gianni Infantino has promised to monitor leagues across the world to ensure correct amounts of stoppage time are being added, with the Premier League expected to fall in line next season.
Collina suggested that a ‘mercy rule’ might be considered in the future, although this would have to be written into the laws of the game and not at a referee’s discretion. He explained that every minute and every goal could matter at the end of the season, citing an example from the World Cup where Spain scored a goal in additional time that could have cost either Spain or Costa Rica qualification for the next round of the competition.
Collina urged the Premier League to follow FIFA’s example at the World Cup and ensure that correct amounts of stoppage time are being added. He conceded that it may be difficult to understand why additional time should be given when a team is losing by a significant margin, but he emphasized that even one goal scored or not scored can make a difference in the final rankings. Collina suggested that a ‘mercy rule’ might be considered in the future, although this would have to be written into the laws of the game and not at a referee’s discretion. He explained that every minute and every goal could matter at the end of the season, citing an example from the World Cup where Spain scored a goal in additional time that could have cost either Spain or Costa Rica qualification for the next round of the competition.
In conclusion, Collina’s comments highlight the importance of adding correct amounts of stoppage time in football matches. While it may be difficult to understand why additional time should be given when a team is losing by a significant margin, every goal scored or not scored can make a difference in the final rankings. The Premier League should follow FIFA’s example at the World Cup and ensure that correct amounts of stoppage time are being added to matches. A ‘mercy rule’ may be considered in the future, but this would have to be written into the laws of the game and not at a referee’s discretion.