Bundesliga Increases Time After Matches, Extended Overall Game Time
The German Bundesliga is set to undergo a significant change, with the introduction of a new rule that aims to provide a fairer and more accurate reflection of playing time in matches. Starting from the 2025 season, the duration of Bundesliga games will be extended to account for stoppages such as injuries, penalties, disciplinary actions, and medical breaks.
This approach, which has already been adopted by leagues like the English Premier League, follows the model introduced at the 2022 World Cup. The change means that matches may routinely go beyond the traditional 90 minutes plus a few additional minutes, with the exact time lost during stoppages being added to the normal 90 minutes.
The DFB referee GmbH expects this change to result in more net minutes per game, with the current net playing time of around 60 minutes potentially increasing slightly. The extra time will be calculated precisely, with the second video assistant noting lost time for substitutions, VAR interventions, longer checks, treatments of injuries, goal celebrations, interruptions due to pyrotechnics or thunderstorms, among other factors.
However, the new rule has caused some confusion, with coaches such as Ralf Kettemann of SC Paderborn and Michél Kniat of Arminia Bielefeld admitting they did not have the new rule in mind during a game. In a recent match between Arminia Bielefeld and Fortuna Düsseldorf, an additional ten minutes were added until the final whistle, causing some controversy.
The clubs have demanded transparency and calculability in extra time decisions, and the referee is now given a recommended extra time based on the sum of these factors. The aim is not to dramatically increase the actual playing time, according to Knut Kircher, Managing Director of Sport and Communication.
The trend for longer extra time is already visible in the 3. Liga, and the average extra time added in the first two matchdays of the 2. Liga is 10.35 minutes, compared to 8.52 minutes in the previous round. Games with over 100 minutes have caused discussions worldwide, such as at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
In practical terms, this means matches may last longer than before, with more accurate reflection of actual playing time. Referees no longer have discretion over extra time, which has often been criticized in the past. The new rule is part of a broader effort to improve the fairness and transparency of the Bundesliga.
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