MONTE CARLO/NYON: FIFA’s extended stoppage-time rules at the World Cups will not be adopted by European federation UEFA in its own club competitions.

Zvonimir Boban, former Croatia captain and now the European federation’s chief of football, set out his opposition on the eve of the Champions League draw in Monaco.

Boban said: “It’s absolutely absurd. Regarding player welfare, it’s some kind of big tragedy because [they] are adding almost 12, 13, 14 minutes.

“When you play 60, 65 minutes – I can speak from my experience, especially as a midfielder – when you get tired, it’s the last 30 minutes of the game – and then somebody comes and adds another 15 minutes.

“How often we have spoken critically about the calendar and too many games? This is not listening to players and coaches [about welfare]. It’s crazy. It’s too much, so we will not do this. Our guidelines are different.”

Roberto Rosetti, UEFA’s chief refereeing officer, echoed Boban’s view.

Rosetti, former Italian World Cup referee, said: “There is something more important than the accuracy of additional time. Why do people like the Champions League so much? Because it’s intensive, it’s fantastic, the players never stop.

“So we tell our referees to speed up the restart of play instead of focusing on stoppage time.”

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