Question Number: 24314

Law 7 - Match Duration 11/13/2010

RE: AYSO Under 11

Bob Hayes of Redondo Beach, CA USA asks...

Right before the end of the game, an attacking team had a throw in which a defender hit with his hand in the penalty area.

It was fairly obvious, but right after that happened (about 1 or 2 seconds), the ref called an end to the game.

He claimed that the clock had already expired before the handball, as he was just a bit late blowing his whistle, so the handball was not called.

What is the official end of the game, the clock or the ref's whistle?

Answer provided by Referee Debbie Hoelscher

Neither. The end of the game is determined by when the referee decides it's the end of the game. That determination may or may not coincide with the referee blowing the whistle. The decision and the announcement of that decision are two different and distinct things.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Bob
Play is ended when the referee decides that time has fully expired. The signal is to announce that decision.
While the referee is entirely correct in his decision, the mechanics of his decision caused the difficulty.

Answer provided by Referee Gene Nagy

Bob, let's not get bogged down in splitting hairs in a U11 game. The ref told you when the end was: just before the hand ball. Just accept it - his decision stands. In a perfect world the whistle, the clock and referee decision all happen at the same time. This time he was a second or two late.