Rational Ref: Let's call time on those who run down the clock
Should we take retrospective action on time-wasters? Or do we just accept it's part of the game and let refs deal with it?
It doesn't take a genius to run down the clock. Even ball boys do it with aplomb.
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho complained about the time-wasting tactics of ball boys during his team's first defeat of the season away to Newcastle United.
It is a certainty ball boys are told how to run down the clock depending on how their team are doing
In defeat, people always look for excuses and Mourinho is no special exception. "We wanted to play more football but it was not possible because a few things I thought didn't belong any more to top-level football but still belongs - the ball disappeared, the ball doesn't come, another ball comes, the ball boys run away - these kind of situations that unfortunately are still part of the game," moaned Mourinho.
Whether Mourinho likes it or not, ball boys and their ball-handling antics are part and parcel of top-level soccer. They are usually teenage youth players who have developed an allegiance to the home club or their national team by either volunteering or, if they are lucky enough, being paid by their club or association.
Therefore, they are told what to do. And since the first-team manager is of high rank, it is a certainty ball boys are told how to run down the clock depending on how their team are doing.
Former England manager Glenn Hoodle has even gone on record confessing: "As a manager, you will tell people instructing the ball boys that if you're winning the game, don't give the ball back quickly." But this is nothing new.
Last season Mourinho even warned a Crystal Palace ball boy at Selhurst Park that a Chelsea player could punch him because he was holding on to the ball for too long. Chelsea lost 1-0.
"I told him [the ball boy] not to do that because he runs the risk of one of my players to punch him or to lose his temper, so don't do that because you are risking [it]. But somebody told him to do that," said Mourinho, who was probably just trying to frighten the kid.
Professional players will not throw a punch in front of millions of spectators unless they are extremely stupid or viciously provoked.
In that same season when Chelsea played Liverpool, Mourinho deliberately held on to the ball in his technical area to prevent Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard from quickly taking a throw in. How the Crystal Palace ball boy must have wished that Gerrard had punched Mourinho.
Holding on to the ball is just one method of delaying restart.
How long should it take a goalkeeper to take a goal kick? Keepers can waste time by walking slowly to retrieve the ball and then painstakingly placing the ball on the furthest point of the goal area. They can then grab a drink before readying themselves to kick.
Contrary to players' complaints, there is no six-second rule for taking goal kicks. Similarly, there is no time limit for taking throw-ins or free kicks, although referees may caution players for unreasonably delaying the restart of the game.
Also, why do keepers suddenly need to tie up their bootlaces, especially at crucial periods of the game?
Everyone knows referees will not hold up the game if outfield players decide to stop and tie up their laces but will always allow keepers to do so. Keepers have been caught on camera deliberately loosening their laces for the sole purpose of time-wasting.
Outfield players have other methods, such as suddenly requiring treatment when they want to waste time. Some even call for stretcher-bearers to carry them off, only for the player to bounce right back up as soon as play has restarted eager to get back on the pitch.
If time-wasting is considered unsporting behaviour and players, coaches and supporters are riled by these tactics, then the best solution is for competition organisers to start taking retrospective action.
Time-wasters, just like divers, can easily be identified, publicly shamed and fined.
The alternative is for everyone to accept this is a natural part of the game and allow referees to take action on those who push the boundaries of gamesmanship too far.
