EFL players believe extra added time causing more injuries

Players in the English Football League are reporting an increase in injuries due to longer periods of stoppage time this season, according to a recent survey conducted by the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA).

In an effort to minimize time-wasting and better account for various game interruptions, England’s refereeing body PGMOL has decided to allocate more additional time. However, nearly 60% of the surveyed players from the Championship, League One, and League Two expressed their opposition to the extension of stoppage time.

This practice of longer added time was first introduced by FIFA during the most recent editions of the men’s and women’s World Cups and was subsequently adopted in England following a directive from football’s lawmakers Ifab.

However, critics in the Premier League, including Manchester City midfielder Kevin de Bruyne and Manchester United defender Raphael Varane, have expressed their reservations.

The PFA survey also highlighted concerns regarding player workload. Almost 60% of the players believed that longer stoppage time increased the likelihood of injuries, and a similar figure opposed the extension. Additionally, three-quarters of EFL players stated that they did not receive an adequate break between seasons.

Furthermore, over 60% of the respondents felt that the lack of rest and recovery time resulted in more frequent injuries. The survey also revealed that less than 20% of the players believed sufficient actions were being taken to address issues such as pitch invasions, player harassment, and discriminatory chanting. The players were divided on their opinions of the video assistant referee (VAR) system being introduced in leagues below the Premier League.

“The objective of a project like this is to identify areas where we need to collaborate with the governing bodies of the game, and to ensure that the perspectives of players are acknowledged and acted upon,” stated PFA Chief Executive Maheta Molango.

“Player workload concerns are consistently raised by players at all levels, whether it’s Virgil van Dijk and Raphael Varane discussing our joint efforts to address the excessive fixture calendar, or EFL members expressing their overwhelming dissatisfaction with the lack of sufficient rest and recovery between seasons.

“This will remain a top priority for us. However, we must also ensure that players are aware of the existing rights in place to protect them.

“Equally important is our commitment as a union to provide support in enforcing these rights when players feel the need for it.”

A spokesperson from the EFL responded to the survey, stating, “Player welfare is a priority for everyone involved in the game. We acknowledge the findings of this member survey and look forward to discussing the specific details behind the results with the PFA.”