Pep Guardiola, the manager of Manchester City, expressed disappointment with the latest alterations in injury-time regulations, claiming that those who enacted these changes, the so-called “think tanks”, failed to solicit the views of those actively involved in the game. His comments came after his team conceded a goal in the 101st minute during the Community Shield match.
Cole Palmer had given City the upper hand with a goal in the 77th minute, only for Leandro Trossard to equalise late in the match, leading to Arsenal’s ultimate triumph in penalty kicks.
The introduction of longer injury times this season in English matches aims to more accurately account for game interruptions.
“The individuals who brainstorm and implement these regulations don’t consult us,” Guardiola commented.
Adding further, the Spanish manager said, “With each game, if you keep on adding eight or ten minutes… however, our views, or those of any individuals in global football, managers or players, aren’t sought.”
Earlier this year, the International Football Association Board (Ifab), the football regulation governing body, declared its intention to “establish fairer conditions for both teams concerning the amount of time they get during a match.”
At Wembley, eight minutes were added to the clock while City was ahead by one goal. However, a five-minute delay occurred during stoppage time when Kyle Walker and Thomas Partey required medical attention after a head-on collision, with these minutes added at the end.
A similar pattern of extended injury time was observed in numerous games during the EFL’s opening weekend.
Prior to the Community Shield encounter, Guardiola had already voiced his concerns about the issue, saying, “Now, each game we participate in will run for 100 minutes. In my view, the issue of time-wasting won’t be resolved by tacking on an additional 10 minutes.”
The new regulation, he argues, is more exhausting for the players. “It’s just too much,” he said.
The match with Arsenal also saw controversy around another new rule.
The rule stipulates that “managers and coaches are forbidden from confronting, invading personal space, or making physical contact with match officials”. Yellow cards will be issued to players who delay the restart of play or don’t retreat the required distance during a free kick.
During the game, both Partey of Arsenal and Julian Alvarez of City were booked for kicking the ball away following a free-kick whistle. Arsenal’s manager Arteta received a yellow card for demanding a booking for Rodri.
Arteta told BBC Radio 5 Live, “We will adapt to it. It’s hard to break old habits instantly, but these are the demands being imposed on us. We need to train and prepare for it because, if not, we might end up playing with fewer than 11 players and without a manager on the sideline quite frequently.”
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Injury-time rules
What was Pep Guardiola’s reaction to the new injury-time rules?
Guardiola expressed his disappointment and criticised the changes in injury-time rules, claiming that those involved in the game were not consulted before implementing these changes.
Who won the Community Shield match?
The Community Shield match was won by Arsenal, who triumphed in penalty kicks after a late equaliser from Leandro Trossard.
What caused a delay in stoppage time during the Community Shield match?
A five-minute delay occurred during stoppage time when Kyle Walker and Thomas Partey required medical attention following a head-on collision.
What new rule caused controversy in the match between Manchester City and Arsenal?
A new rule that forbids managers and coaches from confronting, invading personal space, or making physical contact with match officials caused controversy. In the game, Arsenal’s manager Arteta was shown a yellow card for demanding a booking for Rodri.
What did Arsenal’s manager Arteta say about the new rules?
Arteta stated that the teams will have to adapt to the new rules, acknowledging that it might be hard to break old habits instantly, but they need to train and prepare for these new demands.
More about Injury-time rules
- International Football Association Board (IFAB)
- Manchester City Football Club
- Arsenal Football Club
- Community Shield Match Report
- New Injury Time Rules
5 comments
wow! cant believe they made these changes without consulting managers or players. Pep’s right, this’ll exhaust the players more.
About time someone high up in the football world voiced this issue. Adding 10 mins every match is just too much. The beautiful game shouldnt be stretched thin like this
As a gooner, thrilled with the win but the new rules do seem a bit over the top. Arteta’s yellow card was a bit harsh. needs more discussion i reckon
As a City fan, this is so frustrating. We led till the 101st minute? What is this madness?! Injury time should be reasonable…
Guardiola is right. these new rules seem to ignore the physical toll on the players. need to balance fairness with player health!