Question Number: 15631

Law 7 - Match Duration 5/28/2007

RE: Competive Under 15

Mick of Melbourne, Victoria Australia asks...

During last weeks game, my team was awarded a corner kick after the ball was kicked I headed the ball and it went in the goal. As I headed the ball the ref blew his whistle to signal that the game had ended. He did not allow this goal and as a result we lost 1-0.
My question, Should the ref have allowed this goal or is the ref correct in disallowing it.

Your feedback in this matter is much appreciate.
Thankyou

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Mick,
The referee signaled time had expired before you scored so no goal is permitted!
I could offer a better solution than to allow a corner kick to start the ball into the penalty area but not allowed to finish as the ball is headed into goal still that was his call, his match, his reputation


The match lasts two equal periods of 45 minutes or as competition revision for youth allows, unless otherwise mutually agreed between the referee and the two participating teams.

Allowance for Time Lost
Allowance is made in either period for all time lost through:
The allowance for time lost is at the discretion of the referee.

Decisions of The Referee
The decisions of the referee regarding facts connected with play are final.
Decision 3
Facts connected with play shall include whether a goal is scored or not and the result of the match
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

Hi Mick. Sorry about the goal not counting but the referee, in the letter of the Law, was correct. In the Spirit of the Game he was not. Ref Dawson explains how the referee can allow your goal and most referees would find a way to add time for something so there are two equal periods of play. Sadly, this referee couldn't dig deep enough, in his experience, to find that lost time...

Regards,

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Sorry Mick. the referee is official timekeeper. Had I been him and had made up my mind the game was over, I'd have ended before the corner kick but this referee is within Law in doing what he did. May not be the smartest move in the world but not illegal. Had he allowed the goal and ended play immediately, how do you think your opponents would feel?

Answer provided by Referee Steve Montanino

The goal cannot stand. The referee was correct. Time is up when time is up.

That said, time should have been up before the corner was taken or after it was completed, for the referee's own sake. However, he was within the law to do this and sorry to say it, but there is nothing you can do about it.

If the time was truly up - it's truly up there isn't much you can say to argue that.