Question Number: 20754

Law 7 - Match Duration 1/21/2009

RE: Rec Under 13

Peter of Stockton, CA USA asks...

Hi

I was watching a game on Saturday and the following transpired. The two teams were running neck and neck (a good game to watch). The score was 2-2, in the dying moments of the game team A had a break away. The attacker (an extremely good player), got past all the defenders and was running on the goal, he approached the penalty box area with just the keeper to beat. About two/three yards out of the penalty box, the referee blows the final whistle.

Was he right? If I had been the referee I would have allowed a couple more seconds to pass. Would I be wrong? I know that when time is up time is up, but in this situation I feel that some discretionary added time would have seemed appropriate.

Of course the defending team were delighted with the call and the attacking team devastated. Is this not always the case?

Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

You said it - 'When time is up, time is up.' Hopefully this referee had already fully added time to compensate for all wastage, and then a few seconds besides to be sure. If the team still hasn't scored by that time, the referee should whistle to end the game. It is no fairer that the defense has to suffer extra time defending than it is to award the attackers extra time attacking.

Having said that, it sure would have been nicer and calmer if the ref could have blown the whistle a couple seconds earlier before the breakaway was apparent. The fact that he didn't might indicate that he was not properly adding time and he blew the whistle when his watch buzzed. Else he would have noted that time was nearly up, the player no matter how good wasn't going to have a chance at scoring before time was up, so end it now.

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

Usually 'What's a few seconds amongst friends' applies. This is perfectly fine unless the referee was in rectal defilade and allowed his watch to beep! This guy must end the match right now, especially if the defenders hear it because they'll hesitate just a tad.

The referee is the time keeper on the field and when he blows time is up. We all like to 'find' a neutral moment where we can end things without all the controversy. Some referees just haven't added that one to their bag of tricks yet.

Regards,

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

While 99 % of referees would have allowed the attacker to take the shot, time is up when the referee says it is. That said, how fair would it be to the defenders if the referee adds a few seconds just for the taking of the shot? If he does add time for the shot, say the goal is good. What does he do now? If he quickly blows the whistle all hell's going to break loose because most would think, and rightly so, that he had only added enough time for the shot. If you are in this position and even though all time has expired you decided to let the attackers get off a shot, you had better add a little more time for a kick off to take place

Answer provided by Referee Steve Montanino

The law is the law and TIME IS UP when TIME IS UP.

It is not fair for the defending side to have to defend for one second longer than they are required to when they are in a perilous position.

Yet, I have to wonder if the referee had truly accounted for all of the lost time in the game... I mean there is very likely a few seconds he missed along the way.