Former Arsenal chief in talks over major rule change on time wastage while referencing Fergie Time
Premier League Museum Admin 
Alex Ferguson 90's
David Dein, a prominent figure in football, is advocating for significant changes to the traditional formatting of football matches. He proposes the introduction of a ‘timekeeper’ and a restructuring of match durations from two 45-minute halves to two 30-minute periods. Dein, who has reportedly garnered support from PGMOL chief Howard Webb, aims to address the interruptions caused by goal celebrations, VAR checks, injuries, and substitutions, ensuring that supporters witness more active play.
Dein’s plan involves the implementation of a timekeeper who would halt the clock for any interruptions, thereby maximizing the actual playing time. The ultimate goal is to make sure matches consist of 60 minutes of real playtime, providing a fairer and more transparent experience for both players and fans.
An Opta report highlights that teams like Liverpool have minimized time wastage, with the Reds averaging a delay time of just 24.1 seconds before their match against Wolves. This statistic emphasizes the existing discrepancies in how different teams manage time during matches.
Dein commented on his revolutionary idea, linking it to historical practices in the sport:
“This is nothing new. This dates back, I think, to Fergie time, when Fergie would always be haranguing the fourth official and tapping his watch, wanting to know how much time was left,” Dein remarked, referencing Sir Alex Ferguson’s notorious sideline antics.
Expressing his thoughts on the current timekeeping practices, Dein revealed:
“I’ve asked all the referees in the Premier League, several years ago, when the fourth official puts up two minutes, three minutes, four minutes, are you accurate to the last 10 seconds? The answer is no. No chance.”
Dein further illustrated the need for precise timekeeping by comparing it to historical achievements:
“Well, in this day and age, don’t forget America put a man on the moon in 1969. I think we should be able to know how long a game of football lasts.”
Outlining his campaign, Dein stated:
“The average length of time a ball is in play in the Premier League and most Western European games is around about 55 to 57 minutes. I would like to see a real time, two halves of 30 minutes, where the ball is actually in play for 30 minutes each. Let the fans know how long they’ve got to go. Why should a fan at home have a better experience than the fan in the stadium? Let’s have a clock where we can all see how much time is being lost.”
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