PGMOL ‘amazing’ change showcased in Leeds v Middlesbrough – Ex-FIFA official
Keith Hackett wants the PGMOL to introduce independent timekeepers after Danny Mills was left annoyed by the first-half stoppage time in Leeds United’s win over Middlesbrough on Tuesday.
After a frantic end to the opening 45 minutes, referee Ben Toner indicated there would be one minute of additional time.
However, Leeds had a free-kick on the edge of the Boro penalty area and even though around 28 seconds of extra stoppage time had been played, Toner then allowed Joe Rothwell to take a corner kick.
Ex-Leeds defender Mills was exasperated by the extra time added.
“This is what annoys managers,” said Mills on talkSPORT2 (08:47pm, 10 December). “It started with one minute [of stoppage time] and we’re now into two minutes.”
Leeds United v Middlesbrough showcases PGMOL change
Rothwell then took his corner kick and as soon as Middlesbrough cleared the danger, Toner blew up for half-time after allowing an extra 62 seconds.
Ex-Premier League and FIFA referee Hackett has explained that referees are advised to call the end to halves of play when the ball is in neutral areas and not during set-pieces.
“The timing of football games leaves a great deal to be desired. Law 5 indicates that the sole timekeeper is the referee, therefore it is his timing that cannot be challenged,” former PGMOL general manager Hackett told MOT Leeds News.
“We know that actual playing time currently is around 52 minutes out of the 90.
“The advice that referees are given is ideally to blow when the ball is in a neutral zone rather than when an attack is on or at a set piece.
“I have long had the view that the game at the elite level should have an independent timekeeper and countdown clock.
“It’s amazing that those up to 14 minutes of added time that we saw at the beginning of the season soon diminished.“
PGMOL seems to be instructing referees to not award as much stoppage-time at the end of halves as they were doing, much to the relief of players and managers, who were stressing about injuries and fitness in those extra minutes.
In other Leeds United news, this incident was “horrible” in the Whites’ win over Middlesbrough, according to a Sky Sports pundit.
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