FOOTBALL'S rule-makers are set to look at ways to increase the amount of actual playing time in matches after Burnley's clash with Cardiff City on Sunday saw the ball in play for just 42 minutes and two seconds.

It was the shortest ball in play time in a Premier League game for five years, since Stoke City and Aston Villa combined for just 40 minutes and 50 seconds of action back in December 2013.

One of the biggest issues at the Cardiff City Stadium was the remarkable length of time taken waiting for Sean Morrison to take throw-ins for the Bluebirds.

Central defender Morrison hurled the ball towards the box from every conceivable angle, taking 20 throw-ins in total during the game.

He took an average time of 25 seconds per throw, with the longest taking 37 seconds, and in total eight minutes of the match were spent waiting for Morrison's deliveries.

According to a report in The Times extending the ball in play time in matches is a major part of the 'Play Fair' strategy being considered by the International FA Board (IFAB).

A number of measures could be looked at, such as the referee stopping his watch while waiting for the ball to come back in play from a throw-in, corner or goal kick.

An IFAB source told The Times: "We all want to crack down on major time-wasting and increase playing time but the fundamental question is how we do it."

IFAB's next annual meeting takes place in Scotland in March.