28 February 2024 , 17:39
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Gary Lineker is frustrated by new rules that have been introduced in Major League Soccer for the 2024 campaign.
In a new policy meant to limit time-wasting, injured players must leave the field for two minutes if the referee stops play due to a potential fitness concern that leaves the player on the ground for more than 15 seconds. However, there are exceptions for head injuries, goalkeeper injuries, injuries caused by fouls that result in a card being shown and serious medical events.
The two-minute period begins once the ball is put back in play. It is monitored by the fourth official and those operating VAR. Only after that time expires will the player be allowed to come back on.
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Lineker expressed concern that the rules will have negative effects. "More ridiculous nonsense," he wrote on X. "Punishing players and teams for getting hurt/injured thus rewarding those that commit fouls that cause injuries. You couldn’t make it up, but they do."
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The Match of the Day host may also be annoyed by the new rules regarding substitutions as the MLS bids to further combat time-wasting. A player who is being substituted must leave the field within 10 seconds. If they fail to comply, the sub cannot enter the field of play for 60 seconds, meaning the team will temporarily be down to 10 men. The time begins once the subs board is raised by the fourth official.
There are also exemptions to the sub rule, such as goalkeepers and when there’s an injury and/or medical staff entering the field. Furthermore, special situations that have been pre-approved by the league office and any safety or security reasons are exempt from the rule. The rules are certainly controversial ones and it remains to be seen how they will impact MLS matches in the coming weeks and months.
The MLS has implemented new injury and substitution rules (Getty Images)A host of players more familiar with European and South American rules must get used to MLS policies in a hurry. Those stars include Lionel Messi, who's entering his second season as an Inter Miami player. Messi skyrocketed the popularity of MLS when he signed for the club last summer, with the World Cup winner sparking an increase in crowds, media coverage and TV audiences.
The 36-year-old is still influencing games on the pitch as he scored a last-gasp equaliser late in stoppage time to salvage a draw for the Eastern Conference team against the LA Galaxy. The football icon has done plenty to accelerate the growth of football in the US in just several months, though MLS commissioner Don Garber has warned the league’s coverage to not get "lazy" by just focusing on Messi.
“Messi helped take this league to new heights and gave us momentum on a trajectory that was established in the years leading up to building a league that Messi would want to be a part of,” he told Sports Business Journal. “It’s easy and somewhat lazy for reporters to just write about Messi - it’s like writing about Taylor Swift. There’s so much more here that I think people need to recognise.”