Question Number: 13719

Law 7 - Match Duration 9/9/2006

RE: Competitive Under 14

Kim Albert of Tigard, OR Washington asks...

During my son's game today, the referee added stoppage time for injuries. Game was tied 0-0 as time was running out. Our striker was kicking the ball, which ended up in the net, as he kicked it the referee blew the whistle and ruled that the goal did not count. I thought the referee would wait until the shot was completed before ending the game.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Well Kim, time is up when the referee says it is. 99.9% of us would wait until the shot was completed. Your referee did not. This happens from time to time. The only upside I can say is that this referee would have done the same thing to the other team.

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

The referee was probably looking down at his watch and not looking at the players on the field. He saw time was up and blew for time. As far as he was concerned the match was over before you heard the whistle. So the kick happened after time had expired.

Regards,

Answer provided by Referee Ben Mueller

Yeah I have seen this happen once as well. Coaches and players chased that poor referee after the game. I had to break it up as an AR. The only time game is extended is for a PK. Else, whistle can blow although most referees would have let the shot finish before blowing.