Question Number: 21302

Law 7 - Match Duration 5/7/2009

RE: REC. Under 19

robert sexton of kernersville, n.c. U.S.A. asks...

Should'nt overtime in a championship game be two equal periods, not just 5 min. then if no score 5 more min.? Where in a rule book is this spelled out? Thanks, Bob Sexton

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

You won't find the time requirements for overtime/extra time discussed in the Laws of the Game. What you will find is that such periods cannot exceed 15 minutes.

Where you will find the information you seek is in the competition rules under which your team plays. Most youth leagues have tiebreaking procedures in their rules. They may say it is a flat 5 minutes, no added time, and if they do, the referee will act accordingly.

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

Under the Laws of the Game, procedures for determining a winner, Extra Time is one of the options. It requires 2 equal periods.

If your local league has issued rules contrary to this, you must follow them.

Playing just one extra period if a goal was scored in that period is commonly known as Silver Goal. Another alternative, known as Golden Goal or Sudden Death, ends the game when a goal is scored in extra time. Both of these options were removed by IFAB (the writers of the Laws) a couple years ago.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

You will find Procedures For Determining The Winner Of A Match Or Home And Away in the Laws Of The Game between the sections Corner Kick and Kicks From The Penalty Mark. Here's what it says:

Away goals, extra time and kicks from the penalty mark are the three
methods approved for determining the winning team where competition
rules require there to be a winning team after a match has been
drawn.
Away Goals
Competition rules may provide that where teams play each other home
and away, if the aggregated scores are equal after the second match, any
goals scored at the ground of the opposing team will count double.
Extra Time
Competition rules may provide for two further equal periods, not exceeding
15 minutes each, to be played. The conditions of Law 8 will apply.

If playing by FIFA or USSF rules there cannot be a single period of extra time. But..local leagues pretty much do whatever they want as no one ever punishes them for illegal modifications.