Question Number: 27175

Law 7 - Match Duration 2/14/2013

RE: Adult

Steve C of Jakarta, Indonesia asks...

If injury time is stated at 3 minutes, and at 2:58 a corner is given, will you blow the whistle when the corner is being setup? or you stop you timer to allow the corner to be taken?
thanks

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Steve
By any chance were you watching the recent Real Madrid v Manchester United Champions League game? United were awarded a corner kick in the last few seconds of the game. As the time reached 3.00 the German referee Felix Brych blew for full time much to the annoyance of United players who felt that he could have 'found' a few seconds to allow the corner kick. One United player seemed to be gesturing to the referee that a free kick in added time used up some seconds that could have been added on so that the kick could have been taken.
Anyway the referee ended the game as he was entitled to do so as the minimum of 3 minutes had fully elapsed. Personally I would have allowed the corner kick to be taken.
It does highlight though the need for soccer to 'agree' a timing method that is accepted by all. In International Rugby, the game would have continued and the next stoppage other than a foul would have ended the game. In addition the referee confirms those times in the game that the match clock has been stopped so that the exact time remaining is know to all.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

Some general principals on added or injury time.

A. Injury time should always be announced as 'at least' X minutes.'

B. The referee always has discretion to allow more time than indicated.

C. The referee should never end play with less extra time than indicated.

D. The match can be ended when the ball is out of play.

It is lawful for the referee to allow a corner kick to proceed and then end the match when the ball is in the air. IMO, it is also foolish. If the referee believes that the match has ended before the corner kick can be taken, the referee should end the match. See, for example, today's match between MU and RM. (Note: the TV screen does not show the official time.)

In most cases, however, there have been additional delays during added time that would justify allowing the kick to be taken and completed. Doing so, in my experience, adds to the players enjoyment of the match.