Question Number: 29183

Law 7 - Match Duration 2/16/2015

RE: Level 2 Under 12

Gregg Dalley of Benfleet, Essex England asks...

If in a cup game the referee plays an incorrect period of extra time, for example 5 minutes each way when it should have been 10 minutes. No goal are scored and the game is decided on penalties and the game is concluded.

After the game the referee realised his mistake what should happen in this situation?

Answer provided by Referee Jason Wright

Hi Gregg,

The only thing the referee can do is report the situation to the league authorities and let them decide. There is no way within the laws that the referee can add on that extra ten minutes, given that the laws require two equal halves to be played.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Gregg
All that can happen is that the referee reports what happened and it is up to the competition organisers to make a decision based on the circumstances.
The competition organisers could decide to accept the result or it could order a replay.
BTW the referee can reduce the time for extra time due to concerns about light, weather etc. Personally I think if both teams accepted the 5 minutes each way as they must have done after the first 5 minutes was concluded with debate then neither team was disadvantaged.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Greg,
When a referee has erred in match time and ENDED the match it rests on the competition authorities to decided if the results will stand or if a replay is ordered. A referee can only report on the circumstances, he has no control at this point! Why was the match shortened? Was it to do with safety, fading light weather?
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee James Sowa

Gregg,

Once the referee has ended the match, there is nothing that can be done that day. The referee will write up his report and should note in it the circumstances of the match. It then comes down to the competition authority to decide what the proper result should be.