Turkish Super Lig matches report lowest ball-in-play time in Europe
Head Coach of Fenerbahce Jose Mourinho reacts to the decision of the referee after a position during the UEFA Europa League match between against Manchester United at Ulker Stadium in Istanbul, Turkiye on Oct. 24, 2024. (AA Photo)
Super Lig matches this season have the lowest average ball-in-play time among Europe’s top ten football leagues, despite being the longest in total duration.
According to Opta data:
- The ball stays in play for an average of 51 minutes and 53 seconds in Super Lig matches
- The total match duration reaches 100 minutes and 28 seconds.
In comparison, leagues like the Dutch Eredivisie lead Europe with significantly better ball-in-play time.
Comparison of ball-in-play, match durations across top leagues
How Super Lig compares to other major European leagues:
| League | Ball-in-Play Time | Total Match Duration | Ball-in-Play Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eredivisie (Netherlands) | 57:52 | 97:44 | 59.2% |
| Premier League (England) | 57:13 | 99:53 | 57.3% |
| Super Lig (Türkiye) | 51:53 | 100:28 | 51.6% |
The Dutch Eredivisie leads with almost 58 minutes of active gameplay per match, while Türkiye’s Super Lig trails with just 52 minutes on average.
Experts criticize delays and refereeing styles in Super Lig
Adil Demircubuk, a sports columnist, explained the impact of low ball-in-play time on match excitement.
“The longer the ball stays in play, the more action, tempo, and excitement it creates. Every foul, every ball that goes out of play, and every delay caused by injuries reduces the audience’s interest,” Demircubuk said.
Columnist Ugur Meleke also highlighted how time-wasting tactics harm the league. “We sit in front of the TV for 100 minutes, and 49 of those minutes are wasted.
This is the biggest problem in our football,” Meleke stated. He proposed a simple solution to eliminate delays:
- Players who sit down pretending to be injured should leave the field.
- They should not return until the next whistle.
“This rule would eliminate fake injuries and increase ball-in-play time to 60 minutes,” he added.
Firat Aydinus, a former referee, argued that referees in Super Lig need to adopt stricter standards similar to those in the Premier League. “In England, referees allow play to continue even when players are on the ground. Players don’t complain, and the game flows naturally. Referees enforcing these rules in Türkiye must receive proper support,” Aydinus stated.
Structural reforms needed to improve Super Lig matches
Experts agree that urgent reforms are needed to improve the quality of Super Lig matches. Suggested solutions include:
- Stricter rules on time-wasting: Ensure players leaving the field cannot return until the next whistle.
- Better referee training and support: Referees must consistently enforce rules without fear of backlash.
- Adopting successful practices from other leagues: Examples include the Premier League’s approach to continuous play.
Without these changes, the Super Lig risks falling behind Europe’s top leagues in terms of quality and fan engagement.
