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Major League Soccer Discusses Stopped Clock Trial With Global Rulemaking Body
Major League Soccer has held preliminary talks with the International Football Association Board about testing a stopped clock during matches. The proposal would pause the clock for injuries, substitutions and set pieces. MLS used a stopped clock from 1996 to 1999.
May 20, 5:00 AM·1m read1 source
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Major League Soccer has held discussions with the International Football Association Board about testing a stopped clock in matches. The clock would stop for injuries, substitutions and set pieces. A continuously running clock has been standard in soccer since the sport's early rules.
Paul Grafer, vice-president of competition for MLS, said reintroducing a stopped clock is one topic the league often discusses when considering future changes.
MLS used a stopped clock from its founding in 1996 until the end of the 1999 season. The league also used a countdown clock during that period. At that time the board chose smaller adjustments instead.
Ali Curtis, MLS executive vice-president of sporting development, confirmed the league has held preliminary conversations with the board about timekeeping innovations. Grafer said the league would formally submit a proposal and test any new rule first in MLS Next Pro before wider use.
A source within the board said the idea currently has little support and that concerns remain about unpredictable game lengths for broadcasters.
