Former PGMOL chief Keith Hackett has called for the EFL to investigate the time-wasting behavior exhibited by Preston North End during their 1-1 draw with Sunderland on Tuesday evening. The match was marred by a series of bizarre incidents, including multiple Preston players going down with injuries, only to quickly recover and continue playing.
Hackett, who was speaking to Mackem News, expressed his disappointment with the referee’s lenient approach to the situation, suggesting that he should have taken a firmer stance and issued warnings to the players. He also questioned how an additional Preston player was allowed onto the field during a substitution, which is a clear breach of the laws of the game.
The former PGMOL chief urged the EFL and the FA to take action to eradicate this type of behavior from the game, suggesting that referees need to be more vigilant and proactive in dealing with time-wasting tactics.
Sunderland’s players and staff were visibly frustrated by the incidents, with some accusing Preston of “extreme” time-wasting. The Black Cats’ manager, Régis Le Bris, also expressed his disappointment with the referee’s performance, suggesting that he had been too lenient.
The controversy has sparked a wider debate about the need for stricter rules and punishments for time-wasting in football. While some argue that it is a legitimate tactic, others see it as a form of cheating that undermines the integrity of the game.
As the EFL and the FA consider their response to the incident, it remains to be seen whether they will take action to address the issue of time-wasting in football. One thing is certain, however: the incident has highlighted the need for referees to be more proactive and vigilant in dealing with this type of behavior, and for the governing bodies to provide clearer guidance and stricter punishments for those who engage in it.
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