MLS lobbying Ifab to explore stopping clock for pauses in play
Major League Soccer (MLS) is in discussions with the International Football Association Board (Ifab) to explore the possibility of reintroducing a stopped clock during matches. This concept, which would halt the clock for injuries, substitutions, and set pieces, was previously used in MLS from 1996 to 1999. While Ifab has debated the idea in the past, it faces challenges in gaining support for significant changes to timekeeping in football.
- ▪MLS has had preliminary conversations with Ifab about trialing a stopped clock in matches.
- ▪The stopped clock would pause for injuries, substitutions, and set pieces, similar to practices in other American sports.
- ▪Ifab last discussed the stopped clock in 2017 but decided against it due to concerns about unpredictable game lengths.
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| Original publisher | The Guardian — US |
| Canonical URL | https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/20/mls-stopped-clock-ifab-discussions-trial |
| Publication time | Wed, 20 May 2026 09:00:32 GMT |
| Retrieval time | 2026-05-20T09:15:01.288Z |
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MLS has previously used a stopped clock in its earliest years as a league. Photograph: Eston Parker/ISI Photos/Getty ImagesView image in fullscreenMLS has previously used a stopped clock in its earliest years as a league. Photograph: Eston Parker/ISI Photos/Getty ImagesMLSMLS lobbying Ifab to explore stopping clock for pauses in playClock would stop for injuries, substitutions and set piecesMLS previously used a stopping clock from 1996-1999Ifab last debated a stopping clock in 2017Pablo Iglesias Maurer and Matt HughesWed 20 May 2026 05.00 EDTLast modified on Wed 20 May 2026 05.01 EDTSharePrefer the Guardian on GoogleMajor League Soccer has had discussions with the International Football Association Board, global football’s rule making body, about trialing the use of a stopped clock in…
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