Leading football coaches call for time-out, additional time

World's leading football coaches at an international sports conference have called for modification in FIFA rules to allow for more substitution and additional stoppage-time

During a panel discussion Saturday at the eighth Dubai International Sports Conference, Bayern Munich coach Josep "Pep" Guardiola said he would like to have more players on the bench for substitutions during a game, reports Xinhua.

"This would give us coaches more options and more possibilities to create a game and to try out different strategies with different team members," said the 42-year-old Spaniard.

Guardiola took over as Bayern Munich coach in June 2013 after the German club won the European UEFA Champions League under Jupp Heynckes.

Under FIFA rules, three players can be exchanged during a match while a maximum of seven players can be appointed substitutes by the coach.

Former England coach Italian Fabio Capello, now coaching the Russian squad, said he would opt for the possibility of time-outs during the game or "for additional four minutes".

Capello criticised the common practice of adding additional minutes after the game depending on the referee's decision in case fouls and injuries during a game delay the play.

"The decision whether or not there are additional minutes after the 90th minute is always announced by the referee during the last minute of the second half whether or not additional minutes will be added due to injuries that can happen during the regular match time," said 67-year-old Capello.

Juventus coach Antonio Conte agreed with Capello on the demand for additional time.