Igor Diveev points out faster games with fewer pauses in
According to Championat.
Context
Zenit player Igor Diveev has been an active voice on the changes in the Russian Championship, highlighting the significant difference in the dynamics of the games since the introduction of the new rules. Your experience and observations can be crucial to the continued adaptation of players and referees to this new style of play.
Why this matters
The new rules implemented in the Russian Championship aim to increase the fluidity of games, something that Igor Diveev, Zenit defender, considers beneficial for both players and fans. Reducing pauses and faster ball throw-ins can transform the spectator experience and the dynamics of matches, reflecting a global trend in football.
Main conclusions
- Igor Diveev points out faster games with fewer pauses.
- Igor Diveev, Zenit defender, considers that the new rules approved by the IFAB and adopted in Russian football have sped up the game, with fewer pauses and greater dynamism, although he notes that the time of substitutions is still not always accounted for.
- Игорь Дивеев: матчи стали более динамичными, быстрыми из‑за новых правил - Чемпионат.
Igor Diveev, Zenit defender, believes that games in the Russian championship are faster and have fewer pauses since the recent changes to football rules came into force. The changes were approved by the
In statements cited by Match TV, the Russian international highlighted clear differences between the previous and current period. "Now it's really noticeable. Comparing the Super Cup and the games now, there's a big difference in the time it takes the goalkeeper to put the ball back in play. The referees have started to count the times for throw-ins and free kicks. But I still haven't noticed that they count the time for substitutions", said the central defender, highlighting that the matches "have become more dynamic and faster", something that, from his perspective, benefits players and fans.
Diveev's observations also refer to the Russian Super Cup game, played at the end of July against Spartak (Zenit's 2-1 victory), a moment in which he had already expressed his expectation that the arbitration would adapt without ambiguity to the new regulatory framework. After a few rounds, the defender highlights a more visible application of measures such as monitoring the time spent on ball replacements — from goal kicks to throw-ins — and on set pieces, reducing stops that previously broke the rhythm.
The IFAB guidelines, communicated globally, have been promoting greater rigor in accounting for dead periods, in a line that includes, among other points, the management of effective time and combating delays in replacements. In the Russian case, official confirmation from the Ministry of Sport allowed the RFU to implement the changes for this season, following a trend that is already observed in other European championships.
For Zenit and its opponents, the new reality requires tactical and behavioral adaptation: teams are encouraged to accelerate throw-ins, goalkeepers have less space to lengthen the preparation of goal kicks and dead ball takers face greater temporal vigilance. Diveev notes, however, that accounting for the time spent on substitutions is still not as evident as in other situations, a point to be monitored throughout the season.
The center's assessment reinforces the perception that consistent application of the rules can elevate the spectacle, making meetings more continuous and intense. In the medium term, it will be possible to measure the impact on game time statistics and the number of interruptions, indicators that help translate into numbers the feeling of greater fluidity highlighted by the Zenit defender.
What happens next
With the continued implementation of these rules, it is expected that referees will become increasingly strict in counting time, including substitutions. The evolution of the game in the Russian Championship may influence other leagues to consider similar changes, promoting more dynamic and attractive football.
Frequently asked questions
What did Igor Diveev say about the games in the Russian championship?
Igor Diveev stated that games in the Russian championship are faster and with fewer pauses due to the new IFAB rules.
Who confirmed the new rules in the Russian championship?
The new rules were approved by the International Football Association Board (IFAB) and ratified in Russia by the Ministry of Sports following a proposal from the Russian Football Union (RFU).
Why were the rule changes implemented now?
The changes were implemented to speed up the pace of play and reduce deliberate waste of time, a topic that has been under discussion in world football.
What specific changes did Diveev notice?
Diveev noticed that the referees started counting the times for throw-ins and free kicks, as well as faster ball replacements by the goalkeepers.
What are the benefits of the new rules according to Diveev?
Diveev believes that the new rules make matches more dynamic and faster, benefiting both players and fans.