Timewasting

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This article refers to timewasting in a sporting context. For wasting time in a more general context, see Procrastination.

Timewasting (or time-wasting) in the context of sport refers to the deliberate wasting of time by one team towards the end of a game to gain an unfair advantage, usually when winning by one goal (or, less frequently, drawing). The aim is to ensure the game ends before a goal can be conceded.

A manager's only real way to timewaste is usually by bringing substitutes on at a very late stage in the game.

Players can waste time by taking excessive time over leaving the field following a substitution, feigning injury, kicking the ball away (now a mandatory yellow card offence), obstructing the taking of a quick free kick by an opposing player, and delaying the taking of their own free kicks or throw ins.

Teams have also been accused of timewasting by instructing (or allowing) their ball boys to delay returning the ball for the away team to take a throw in or a corner. UEFA warned the Scottish Football Association about this following a complaint by French coach Raymond Domenech following a 1-0 victory for Scotland[1]

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[edit] Legislation

The back-pass rule was introduced in 1992 in order to prevent timewasting by a defender repeatedly passing the ball back to the goalkeeper, who then picked it up.

Football referees, the governing body FIFA and the International Football Association Board are trying to prevent 'simulation' (such as diving and timewasting) with more powerful punishments as part of their ongoing target to stop all kinds of simulation in football.[2]

[edit] Legal methods of running down the clock

See also: Running out the clock

There is also a common legal tactic often employed during football games to run down the clock. It sees the winning team resort to running into the corner of the field and shielding the ball from the defender between themselves and the perimeter of the pitch. This will more than often lead to a free-kick for the winning team if the frustrated defender budges the player out of the way or it can also tend to lead to a throw-in for the winning team as by the defender placing a tackle and managing to legally make contact with the ball so close to the line it often rolls out of play. Both of these outcomes can lead to the scenario beginning all over again creating an extremely frustrating and desperate finish to the game for the losing team.

[edit] In the media

Managers have criticised tactics they view as timewasting, particularly when they prevent their own team from attaining a victory. In November 2006, Rafael Benitez, manager of Liverpool F.C. hit out at the tactics employed by Portsmouth F.C. during a 0-0 draw.[3]

The booking of Swiss player Paulo Diogo for timewasting following a goal celebration was considered controversial. Diogo had caught his wedding ring on the metal perimeter fence of the ground while celebrating his goal for Servette, which led to him tearing off his finger - the delay was caused by Diogo and the match stewards searching for his finger.

Although punishment for timewasting tends to happen towards the end of a game, as does the offence itself, it can happen at an early stage of the match. During a game in 1972 between Norway and the Netherlands in Rotterdam, the Norwegian goalkeeper, Per Haftorsen, received a yellow card for time-wasting after only five minutes.[4]

In December 1979, during a Division One game between Liverpool and Derby County, Roy McFarland was booked for timewasting after kicking the ball into the stands after just two minutes of the ninety (Derby having taken a lead - unexpectedly - from a penalty kick after just 20 seconds of the match). [4]

[edit] Other sports

Timewasting also occurs in other sports. In rugby union, it often takes place by one team deliberately collapsing a scrum. The penalty is a free kick, as it is considered a technical offence.

In ice hockey, timewasting is known as Delay of game, and is punished by a two minute minor penalty.[5]

In Australian Rules Football, late in a close game players who have marked the ball will often attend to their uniforms such as tucking in jersey's or pulling their socks up along with over zealous stretching in an effort to milk the clock. It is up to the umpire to call 'play on' or stop the clock while this happens. Players kicking for goal are now given no more than 30 seconds to take their kicks in response to some players exended preparation ritual's though even this is rarely enforced.

[edit] References

  1. ^ Ball boy warning stuns SFA chief. www.bbc.co.uk. Retrieved on 2006-11-19.
  2. ^ IFAB clamps down on time-wasting, reckless play and simulation. IFAB. Retrieved on 2006-03-04.
  3. ^ Rafa hits out at "time wasting". msn.foxsports.com. Retrieved on 2006-12-14.
  4. ^ a b The earliest a player has been booked for time-wasting. The Guardian. Retrieved on 2006-12-14.
  5. ^ Rule 51 Delaying the Game. NHL rulebook. Retrieved on December 18, 2006.