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Manchester United center back Raphael Varane has seen and won just about everything there is to win in the soccer world.
Varane, a 30-year-old Frenchman, joined the English club from Spanish giant Real Madrid for a fee of around $47 million.
At the time, Varane was one of the world’s top defenders and had won the UEFA Champions League four times, the Spanish league three times, and the 2018 FIFA World Cup with France.
So it’s safe to say that when he speaks, people take notice.
Varane spoke up in a big way on Monday when he criticized new rules for the 2022-23 season.
We had a meeting last week with the FA. They recommended from the referees new decisions and rules.
From the managers and players, we have shared our concerns for many years now that there are too many games, the schedule is overcrowded, and it’s at a dangerous level for…
— Raphaël Varane (@raphaelvarane) August 7, 2023
“We had a meeting last week with the FA. They recommended from the referees new decisions and rules,”he said in a tweet. “From the managers and players, we have shared our concerns for many years now that there are too many games, the schedule is overcrowded, and it’s at a dangerous level for players physical and mental well-being. Despite our previous feedbacks, they have now recommended for next season: longer games, more intensity, and less emotions to be shown by players.
“We just want to be in good condition on the pitch to give 100% to our club and fans. Why are our opinions not being heard? As a player I feel very privileged to do the job I love every day but I feel these changes are damaging our game. We want to be at our maximum level, the best we can be and put on amazing performances for fans to celebrate every week. I believe it is important that we, players and managers, highlight these important issues as we want to protect the game we love and give the fans our best.”
As part of the rule changes, officials have been instructed to add more stoppage time to games. They’re also expected to hand out more yellow cards for players arguing with referees or other players.
Some fans and several players agreed with Varane.
Toni Kroos has been vocal about this too. Hopefully this gets the ball rolling on a revised, less dense schedule. But there is probably too much money involved to see it change. https://t.co/eUGCyMTctY
— Kiyan Sobhani (@KiyanSo) August 7, 2023
One of the first high-profile players to speak out on new IFAB directives. All but two matches in EFL opening weekend ran beyond 100 minutes, as did the Community Shield. It's a lot of extra football. https://t.co/UrsNrerB67
— James Benge (@jamesbenge) August 7, 2023
I know Cesar Azpilicueta had similar thoughts as Chelsea captain and represented the players on this issue before he left. https://t.co/FBbEvZAAFe
— Nizaar Kinsella (@NizaarKinsella) August 7, 2023
Are we going to continue to ignore the players? Far too many games at the moment. Last season showed too many games = poor quality football especially at the end of last season. We need to get a grip of this. https://t.co/Hk9EgnTDS4
— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) August 7, 2023
But many others did not.
Nah.
How about the people who pay to watch football get to watch what they paid for and not a variety of people think that a legitimate tactic to get what they want out of a football match is for there to be no football.
Not hard is it? We've been being robbed for years. https://t.co/BE1Wdanpkf
— Phil Blundell (@PhilBlundell) August 7, 2023
https://twitter.com/Chris78Williams/status/1688503477499027456?s=20
If players stop wasting time, and showing dissent towards officials, there won't be the extensive added time.
This is the whole point of the IFAB's directive (it's not the FA's).
So players stop wasting time, ball-in-play time increases, added time reduces back down. https://t.co/dSpK4HK7Wy
— Dale Johnson (@DaleJohnsonESPN) August 7, 2023
Still others said that it’s a delicate balance.
We need to find a balance 100%.
Players and managers alongside the authorities planning & implementing for the betterment of the game. Finding A solution where all parties (including the fans) are happy must be the aim. https://t.co/7Ob3y6udsH— Rio Ferdinand (@rioferdy5) August 7, 2023
Varane is irrefutably correct about the amount of games. Common knowledge.
He’s wrong about the new rules.
Don’t want 10 minutes of stoppage time? Quit time-wasting and actively devaluing the core experience.
It’s a simple and fair transaction. https://t.co/fwB6QYwqiV
— Evan (@SawkurGod) August 7, 2023
But either way, it’s hard to imagine things going back to the way they were anytime soon.