Question Number: 24978

Law 7 - Match Duration 5/20/2011

RE: Professional

Mike Hrzic of Kelowna, B.C. Canada asks...

I watched a relegation/promotion playoff match from Germany between VfL Bochum and Borussia Moenchengladbach. At the end of the match the 4th official signalled for 2 minutes of added time. At the 2:10 mark, Moenchengladbach were awarded a corner kick. The corner is taken, a number of scoring chances takes place and finally, Moenchengladbach scores after the third attempt at about the 2:30 mark. The Bochum coach was furious because he said that this was well after the 2 minutes signalled by the fourth official. He also said if the fourth official had signalled 3 minutes, he would not have had a problem with the outcome. Is he correct in protesting that the game should have ended at the 2 minute mark and the goal should not have been awarded?

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Mike
The 4th official's board signals the minimum amount of added time that will be played not the actual time to be played. In this case that there was to be a minimum of 2 minutes of added time. So it could be 2 minutes 45 seconds. There could be a problem if the referee signalled 3 minutes and only played 2.45. Also during the added time if there is a reason to add on for further time lost during that period that can be done also and that happens frequently.
Anyway as I always say to coaches ' The referee is the sole judge of time and the game ends when the referee signals for full time'. Simply defend, play to the final whistle and the situation does not arise.
As described it is not a protestable decision and it never is unless there is a clear timing error by the referee that is verifiable such as playing 35 minutes instead of 45 minutes.
BTW if the referee signalled 3 minutes the coach would be furious asking where the referee got 3 minutes of added time.
Funny how its never poor defending that conceded the goal.

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

No, he is not correct. The amount of time displayed by the fourth official is the referee's best estimate of time lost UP TO THAT POINT IN THE MATCH which must be added back to playing time. It is entirely possible and probable that events will occur which will cause the referee to add more time - which is always up to his/her discretion.

Answer provided by Referee Gene Nagy

Mike, the signal from the A/R is the minimum time the referee estimates will be added to the game. It is roughly two minutes in this case and it is pretty obvious that it is not to the second. What should the ref say if there is exactly 2:30 to play? How could he convey this information to the public through his A/R while he is reffing? I suggest there is no way. Also, let's say he chose to signal THREE minutes for the 2:30 that was left. Now the other coach is going to be upset for stopping the game to early!
Mike, I ride a 2006 Kawasaki Nomad.The owner's manual says that it has a displacement of exactly 1,552 cc. Guess what this machine is called? Well, the answer is 1,600 because they round up. Does this mean that Harley-Davidson should sue Kawasaki for false advertising?