FIFA Plan To Extend World Cup Matches In Qatar From 90 Minutes To 100 Minutes
FIFA are looking into the possibility of extending matches to up to 100 minutes, instead of 90, ahead of the World Cup in Qatar in November.
In recent months FIFA have come in for a lot of criticism after looking to make World Cups take place every two years instead of every four.
For many countries and fans that is just too much, although the idea has had some support from certain places in the world who would welcome more chances to qualify.
Now the world football governing body are risking more backlash to their plans for the tournament, as they look into introducing 100 minute matches in time for this winter.
According to Corriere dello Sport, via Football Italia, FIFA are looking to increase match time by 10 minutes, to combat the ball in playtimes during games.
The issues comes from the fact that the ball doesn’t actually stay in play for long in football matches, certainly not as long as might be expected.
According to the CIES Football Observatory, the ball only remains in play for 64.7% of matches in the Champions League, and that number drops to just 62% in the Premier League.
England’s top tier has the lowest percentage of the big leagues, although the Championship is even lower with just 57.2% of ball in play time.
FIFA are hoping to improve the amount of time that the game is being played by adding an extra 10 minutes, although it wouldn’t improve the percentages.
The idea is said to have come directly from FIFA president Gianni Infantino, whose presidency is set to run until next year, when he could run again for another four year term.
Playing an extra 10 minutes would still have to be approved by International Football Association Board. IFAB, who decides on changes to the rules.
In the past, it has been suggested that football use a similar clock system to the one in rugby, where the clock is paused for stoppages so the game has more ball in play action.
As well as World Cups every two years and 10 minute longer matches, FIFA are set to introduce more teams at their tournament, with the 2026 edition in USA, Mexico and Canada to feature 48 sides in the finals for the first time.
Qatar was not everyone’s first choice to host the World Cup this year, apart from when it came to the people actually voting on it back in December 2010.
There are many issues surrounding the hosting of the tournament in the middle east country, from the problems with human rights, homosexual relationships being illegal and even moving the tournament to the winter and still needing air conditioning.
With just months left until it all begins, although it would be less if it was actually in the summer, work should be all be done on the eight stadiums.
However a picture from journalist Tariq Panja has caused a stir on social media, as it shows how lifeless the surroundings outside one stadium currently is.
As well as the not exactly tempting view of around the stadium, going to Qatar might not be the best idea for England fans hoping to see the Three Lions end 56 years of hurt.
A report claimed that it could cost up to £9000-per-night for fans wanting to stay a hotel for the tournament, and flights could cost around £1063.
Tickets to games do start as little as £52 for some Group Stage games, in category three tickets, category four are only available for Qatari residents, but go up to as much as £1224 for the final.
Fans will also have to be wary about taking rainbow flags to the stadium, in support of LGBTQ+ rights, with homosexual relationships between men illegal in the country.
Homosexual relationships between men are illegal in Qatar which can lead to prison sentences, and there is even the possibility of a death penalty for Muslim men.
That has led to many fans questioning whether they would attend the World Cup in November and December, with Australian Josh Cavallo, the only active openly gay footballer, saying he would be ‘scared’ to go.
Qatar have said that they would welcome LGBTQ+ couples to the country for the tournament, and FIFA previously claimed rainbow flags would be allowed inside stadiums.
However, that has now been brought into question, with Major General Abdulaziz Abdullah Al Ansari claiming that they could be removed to ‘protect fans.’
“If he [a fan] raised the rainbow flag and I took it from him, it’s not because I really want to, really, take it, to really insult him, but to protect him,” Al Ansari is quoted as saying by AP.
“Because if it’s not me, somebody else around him might attack [him]…
“I cannot guarantee the behavior of the whole people. And I will tell him,’Please, no need to really raise that flag at this point.'”