Question Number: 13576

Law 7 - Match Duration 8/26/2006

RE: League competition Under 17

Rob Daniel of Albany, WA Australia asks...

A refree blows the whistle just as the striker takes his shot at goal. The balls goes into the goal but is disallowed.

The 16's games in this league are officially 40 minutes each half. According to the watches of the two coaches the referee has blown the whistle 10 minutes before the end of the game, TYhe half has lasted exactly 30 minutes not 40.

Is there a ruling here? As the game has been ended early, and the disallowed goal cost the team a point and runners up position in the league. ?

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

This lays to your league, please direct your question to them...

Now, if the referee blows for time before time, he must recommence the match and wait till full time before ending it. That said, he did stop play, so anything happening after the whistle is so much nothing.

I'll bet the match will be replayed with a different referee at the helm. I would hope you get your goal back in that match and an sorry a referee buggered the first go-around.

Regards,

Answer provided by Referee Ben Mueller

That totally depends on your league. Referee writes a report and league decides.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

HI Rob,
a referee errs in law and it affects the outcome is a likely basis for a do over IF the league so decides! Now as sole timekeeper the referee blows for time over then the goal can not count as play is effectively stopped! If he realizes that there is additional time to be played within a few moments could reconvene the teams and do so. If the referee failed to play the allotted time or two unequal halves again the material for a protest.
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

If the referee blew the ball dead, no goal. If he realized he made a mistake and ended the half too early he can get them to play the remaining 10 minutes. Still needs to write a report and let the league officials sort it out