Following a meeting with the FA, Manchester United defender Raphael Varane has released a strongly-worded statement expressing his concerns over fixture congestion and players' well-being.
The upcoming 2023/24 Premier League season will see a number of rule changes introduced, with games likely to run longer as a result.
Referees will now be obliged to time interruptions before restarts after a goal, a substitution, injury, or set-piece. In fact, one match official told Sky Sports it will be a 'rarity' if a top-flight game lasts less than 100 minutes.
Ultimately, those in charge want to clamp down on time-wasting. Last season, Opta found the ball was in play in England's top flight for an average of just 54 minutes and 49 seconds.
This, however, will likely change as a result of the latest rule changes.With the new regulations having been agreed by IFAB and PGMOL, Manchester United centre-back Raphael Varane has made his feelings clear ahead of the new campaign.
In a statement on his official Twitter account, the France international said the rule changes are "damaging the game".
He wrote: "We had a meeting last week with the FA. They recommended from the referees new decisions and rules.
"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.
"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?"
Varane added: "As a player I feel very privileged to do the job I love every day but I feel these changes are damaging our game. We want to be at our maximum level, the best we can be and put on amazing performances for fans to celebrate every week.
"I believe it is important that we, players and managers, highlight these important issues as we want to protect the game we love and give the fans our best."
Access our platform effortlessly on-the-go through our user-friendly mobile apps.
𝗦𝗲𝗺𝗮𝘀𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗶𝘀 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗹 𝗽𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁, 𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘄, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗯𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗴. We’re more than just a social platform — from jobs and blogs to events and daily chats, we bring people and ideas together in one simple, meaningful space.
