Extended stoppage time has been a major talking point in the opening days of the 2022 FIFA World Cup. One fan of the seemingly stretched-out time is Spain manager Luis Enrique.
On a Tuesday Twitch stream covered by The Athletic, Enrique said, “I think it’s marvelous to play so much added time in both halves, the most effective time possible (the better).”
He went on to suggest testing a clock that stops when the ball is out of play, believing that could help ensure fans see an hour or more of actual play each match. “What is important is that the fan gets at least 60 minutes of effective time,” Enrique said. “Of course I am saying that knowing it would benefit us. But if they do not like it, they can change and play as we do.”
Pierluigi Collina, FIFA Referees Committee Chairman, explained the reasoning for longer stoppages in a recent press conference, saying the focus is on accurately reflecting the time spent celebrating goals, making substitutions or dealing with injuries.
At this year's #FIFAWorldCup, any kind of stoppage during play — whether it be for injuries, time-wasting or goal celebrations — will be compensated in stoppage time.
FIFA Referees Committee Chairman Pierluigi Collina explains more: pic.twitter.com/eHMhhgfkM3
— FIFA (@FIFAcom) November 22, 2022
Monday’s three World Cup matches went into record books for longest stoppage times in the tournament’s history – since it started being tracked in 1966.
4 – The four single halves with the most stoppage time on record (since 1966) in a single #WorldCup match have all been today:#ENGIRN 1st half (14:08)#ENGIRN 2nd half (13:08)#USAWAL 2nd half (10:34)#SENNED 2nd half (10:03)
Prolonged.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) November 21, 2022
Many fans on Twitter seem to be aligned with Enrique, arguing the longer times are more accurate than the more common one to just a few minutes being typically added.
I fully support decision to actually track stoppage time correctly. Hope CONCACAF is watching.
Wish there was a more transparent way to do it though. A way to track it during play. That would stop wasting even more if you saw that it wasn’t going to work as you were doing it.
— Duane Rollins (@24thminute) November 23, 2022
People have become so accustomed to referees adding nonsensically tiny amounts of stoppage time that when they do add the proper amount, it feels weird. But it’s a good thing. Should be the norm.
— Joel Rabinowitz (@joel_archie) November 21, 2022
Some are still not so sure about all the additional time, and others are ready to put an end to stoppage time altogether.
NINE minutes stoppage time?
These refs getting time and a half?
— Carl Anka (@Ankaman616) November 21, 2022
"How much time is left? Only our referee knows for sure."
Stoppage time is the dumbest thing in sports. Just stop the clock when there's an injury.
— Mark Lazerus (@MarkLazerus) November 21, 2022
