MANCHESTER: The new rules that English football has enacted to avoid time wasting will increase player workload in an already packed schedule, Manchester United defender Raphael Varane said on Monday as he slammed authorities for ignoring player concerns.

As part of the new regulations, referees will add the exact time lost in goal celebrations, substitutions or injuries to the stoppage time. In previous seasons, the policy was to aggregate a nominal period of time.

There were eight minutes of added time in the second half of Arsenal’s victory over Manchester City in the Community Shield, while several matches in the second-tier Championship’s first round had 10 or more minutes of added time.

“From the managers and players, we have shared our concerns for many years now that there are too many games, the schedule is overcrowded, and it’s at a dangerous level for players physical and mental well-being,” Varane said on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter.

“Despite our previous feedbacks, they have now recommended for next season: longer games, more intensity, and less emotions to be shown by players.

“We just want to be in good condition on the pitch to give 100% to our club and fans. Why are our opinions not being heard?”.

Published in Dawn, August 8th, 2023