Question Number: 27768

Law 7 - Match Duration 9/16/2013

RE: Competive

Lou Raphino of Randolph , Mass Us asks...

When should a referee stop a game during a corner kick at the end of the game?

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Lou
If time has fully expired then the game should be ended. Most referees though do not use ultra exact timing so a few seconds can be found to see out a play.
If it is a fixed time game with no added time then the game ends when the clock reaches the exact time. Having said that the referee should not stop play with the ball in flight but rather either stop it before or wait for the outcome.
In recent times I have seen a number of games ended just before a corner kick which caused consternation with the attacking team. Generally players exepect the kick to be taken.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

The ball does not have to be in play for the referee to end the match, and the referee does not have to allow a team to restart play (except for a penalty kick).

It is common, however, for the referee to allow a corner kick to be taken. The referee is permitted to add for time lost for substitutions/injuries/cautions, etc., and most referees can find a few seconds to add. Some tournaments are very tight on schedules, however, and do not afford time to add. Note: high school (NFHS) rules use a very different notion for time. When the clock reaches zero, the referee must stop play

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

While most referees will allow a team to take a corner kick at the end of the half or game, the amount of time will not be forever. There's been times when the team with the corner kick dinks away their time, so I blow the whistle. I'll give them a moment or two - and then another moment to see if the ball will score immediately - but not as much as a half minute. Why should the other team have to defend any longer than full time? And if the ball went out for a corner and time had already expired (maybe I was too busy to look at my watch) - then time is up then and there. No restart.