Question Number: 27765

Law 7 - Match Duration 9/15/2013

RE: select Under 14

Mike of kennett square, pa USA asks...

In a club league game this past weekend the referee added extra time to the end of the game. There were no injuries in the half, no time wasting or excessive substitutions. He said he added time due to a penalty kick that was taken early in the 2nd half. He said the time to take the penalty kick is added to extra time. I've never heard of this and why is this any different than the many free kicks in the game that are not added to extra time. I have yet to find someone who agrees with this decision.

Unfortunately for my team, we were winning 1-0 and gave up a goal in the extra time. Plus I had 2 PK' s against me last week and there was no extra time. Please clarify the rule.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Mike
Added time is at the discretion of the referee. Generally time would not be added on for a penalty kick however if the referee believed that there was time lost at that time then he is entitled to add that on. Time lost could be as a result of protesting, setting up the kick or the goalkeeper delaying the kick.
Also the game ends when the referee signals for the end of play. Teams 'blame' the referee for goals conceded in added time rather than looking for the real reason for the concession which always lies with the team's defending.

Answer provided by Referee Jason Wright

Hi Mike,

Unfortunately stoppage time is a little imprecise, and the LOTG aren't explicit in what should result in time added on, so it is left up to the disretion and interpretation of each referee.

I believe the LOTG imply that a PK shouldn't necessarily result in time added on - but I know some referees who disagree with this, given that a penalty kick can often take a bit longer to set up than a normal free kick.

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

Perhaps this referee was familiar with the NFHS (high school) rules, where the clock stops for a penalty kick. He figured that if NFHS stops the clock, it would be appropriate to add time in a game played under the Laws of the Game.

As my colleagues note, time is not automatically added for penalty kicks; only if the result in undue delays.