Extended periods of stoppage came became the norm at the FIFA World Cup in Qatar ©Getty Images

The International Football Association Board (IFAB) has encouraged referees to follow the approach taken at last year's FIFA World Cup in Qatar and introduce extended periods of stoppage time to combat time wasting.

Matches on average ran for more than 100 minutes at Qatar 2022, and lengthy amounts of stoppage time became the norm.

There had been concerns over time lost to goal celebrations, substitutions, injuries and time-wasting, and it has been calculated that the amount of time the ball is in play has dropped to between 50 and 60 minutes rather than the regulation 90 in some leagues.

IFAB - the body which governs football's Laws of the Games and features representation from FIFA and the Football Associations (FAs) of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland - agreed at its Annual General Meeting in London that "competitions around the world should follow this approach".


The International Football Association Board is encouraging referees to curtail time wasting by ensuring stoppage time is added on at the end of halves ©IFAF
The International Football Association Board is encouraging referees to curtail time wasting by ensuring stoppage time is added on at the end of halves ©IFAF

FIFA President Gianni Infantino claimed that it had received positive feedback on the more accurate calculation of stoppage time.

"It has been widely appreciated by everyone," the Swiss official, also an International Olympic Committee member, said.

"We want to fight against time-wasting, we want the fans to enjoy the game.

"We have to ensure that also the application of the Laws of the Game are universal.

"We will monitor leagues all over the world to ensure proper stoppage time is played."

English FA chief executive Mark Bullingham claimed that he expects the amount of stoppage time to increase initially, but this to become less dramatic over time as players reduce time wasting.

"What you saw in Qatar was lots of extra time added, then it actually became a bit less because players then knew there was no point in staying down," he said.

The IFAB General Assembly also agreed to extend a trial implemented at last month's FIFA Club World Cup in Morocco to improve the communication surrounding video assistant referee decisions to fans in stadiums, including the broadcast of decisions.

This is set to be extended to the men's FIFA Under-20 World Cup, due to take place in in Indonesia from May 20 to June 11, with a decision to be taken later in the year on continuing it at other FIFA tournaments.

Iranian goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand was initially allowed to continue in a World Cup match despite appearing visibly dazed, and IFAB stressed the need for an
Iranian goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand was initially allowed to continue in a World Cup match despite appearing visibly dazed, and IFAB stressed the need for an "improved focus on education" related to permanent concussion substitutions ©Getty Images

The IFAB General Assembly opted against introducing a temporary concussion substitution trial which would enable medical staff to conduct a further assessment on players with head injuries, but this remains under "active review".

An additional permanent concussion substitution trial allowing a player to be removed from the field of play and replaced without counting towards a team's permitted changes has instead been extended.

IFAB members agreed on the need for "improved focus on education to improve the application of the protocols drawn up for permanent concussion substitutes".

A high-profile incident at the World Cup involved Iranian goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand in a match against England.

He was initially allowed to continue despite receiving treatment for around 10 minutes after a clash of heads and appearing visibly dazed, but was eventually stretchered off.