The EFL has written to its clubs to urge them to kick off on time in the aftermath of new rules that saw opening day matches significantly lengthened.
Mail Sport understands officials have been moved to contact sides after the ‘reset’ regulations, aimed at clamping down on timewasting, had an immediate impact.
Many games featured rarely-seen amounts of injury time while outside the competition Arsenal equalised in the 101st minute of the Community Shield against Manchester City.
The regulations, brought in by the Football Association following consultation with refs’ body PGMOL and the leagues, triggered an outcry in some quarters with City boss Pep Guardiola among those to complain, along with Manchester United defender Raphael Varane.