Question Number: 21500

Law 7 - Match Duration 6/8/2009

RE: Competive Under 15

Jeff B. of Ringwood, NJ USA asks...

In a recent match our opponent played the ball behind their own endline near the end of the first half. The ref whistled that the half was over, clearly well after the ball crossed the endline.
Can the half be ended before we are awarded a corner?

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

Yes. The ball does not have to be in play, and the referee is only required to extend time to complete a penalty kick. Otherwise, time expires when the referee determine.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Absolutely. The half is ended when the referee says it is even if the ball is about to go into the net. The ball may be in play or out of play when the referee whistles for the end of the half. The only exception is when a referee has awarded a penalty kick before time ended but could not be completed before time ended. In this case the penalty kick is taken but the shooter only gets his kick and no one other than the keeper may play the ball once it is kicked as in a kick from the penalty mark.