Question Number: 13613

Law 7 - Match Duration 8/29/2006

RE: A Adult

Wayne Rockett of Wakefield, West Yorks England asks...

We played a cup final in an evening on a pitch that didn't have floodlights. Sometimes when there is a chance that light might make the game difficult to play the referee might inform the teams that the game will last 35mins per half. However in this case he informed the team captains the match would be full length.

At the end of the match the score was 1-1 so we played extra time (then pens). However, the referee informed the captains that he would not play full length extra time. I timed the halves at 9mins and 7.5mins.

Is the amount of extra time allowed to be reduced?

Answer provided by Referee Ben Mueller

If it is too dark, then it is dangerous to continue match. Referee should stop game and write a report to the league. Both halves must be of equal length so it was not proper to play one extra period longer than the other. Check local league policies here to see if reducing half lengths is a possiblity.

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

What needs to be done before the match starts is establish the length of the periods of play. If the teams can not agree to the length the match is not played. In the event extra time is needed an agreement regarding the length of the periods is needed again and there must be agreement before the extra time periods start. They must be equal in length.

Regards,

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Wayne,

Any agreement to alter the periods of play because of insufficient light must be made before the start of play and must comply with competition rules. So in your match the game was two x45 then two x9.75 then Pks? If I understand this he reduced the overtime duration? BUT into two equal amounts?

The match was in fact two equal lengths of45 minutes?
but as the match was tied and an outcome was needed the extra time was adjusted to compensate for pks to be taken before dark?

Extra time is to be played to determine the winner of a match or
home-and-away tie. Competition rules may provide for two further equal periods, NOT EXCEEDING 15 minutes each, to be played. The conditions of Law 8 will apply.

Given this IF a referee decides to shorten the fifteen into two equal ten minute not sure how you arrive at 9.75 I think he would require permission from both teams prior to starting the extra time to shorten to 15 BUT not sure if it could be protested that this decision should be in effect from the START of the regulation match?

If a match is abandoned due to insufficent light it generally is replayed unless competition rules say otherwise.
I would be interested to know what feedback you recieved from your league to this question?
Cheers