Question Number: 2726

Law 7 - Match Duration 11/15/2001

RE: travel

Ed McIntyre of , Virginia asks...

During a recent match, a score of 3-2 with less than 1 minute remaining, the team winning the match was requesting substitution. They had been substituting frequently for the last 5 minutes. There was no injury on the field. I held off the last substitution due to the time left, feeling that they were using this to waste time. After the game the coach told me that I did not have the authority to do this and would report it to the proper channels. What do you think?

Answer provided by Referee stewart 11/16/2001

I would have to agree with the coach. You do not have the authority to stop a legal substitution. Because of rolling substitutes, certain coaches will not play to the spirit of the game, and will try to waste time. If I was refereeing someone like this, I would try to appeal to them to stop the action as every second will be added on. It is their legal right to substitute so disallowing the substitution is dodgy. Having a deaf ear may work sometimes but not always. Not allowing the substitution may also have more serious consequences. You are not qualified to say there are no injured players on the field. If someone could prove that they tried to get someone off but were refused at a suitable time, who would be responsible if that players injuries became more serious? If it becomes such a problem and spoils the game, then I'm sure the authorities will remove the rolling substitutes and go back to the old ways. Then the only losers are the children.

Answer provided by Referee Gary Sebalja 11/18/2001

The LoTG do allow for this, but not when they are modified for rolling subs. I am assuming you could not play extra time. Maybe this is something that should be looked at altogether. Obviously this is not why rolling subs are allow and the coach is clearly abusing his previlege by "Time Wasting". Therefore you are correct to prevent time wasting as it is punishible by a YC, or else all you have is five minutes of subtitutions at the end of a game and not soccer.

Answer provided by Referee Victor Matheson 11/19/2001

I also agree with my colleagues. But the time wasting is very easy to solve. In any game that I am in, if the game is a one goal game, I let everyone know that I am adding time for all substitutions in the last 5 minutes. If the coach whose team is ahead by a goal wants to have a sub, I point to my watch and say, "No problem. Go ahead and sub. I am adding time for this." If the coach really wants a sub, this doesn't hurt him, but if he is just subbing to waste time, this will get him to stop. If I am officiating high school where the time is kept on the scoreboard, I will signal the timekeeper to stop the clock in the last five minutes. You may not have the right to prevent substitutions, but you have every right to compensate the victimized team by adding time.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

As long as the requirements of Law 3 are met, you must allow the substitution but I would insist the player be at the center line before the sub is requested as per Law 3. Then simply add time as needed