Question Number: 21742

Law 7 - Match Duration 8/4/2009

RE: Adult

Martin Akerlund of Stockholm, Sweden asks...

This is a question about time wasting - along with some observations from my 35 years of watching the Game:

I understand 'time wasting' is quite often a judgement call for the referee but I still wonder why the leading team so often are urged to get the ball in play quicker towards the end of the game than earlier on. Shouldn't the definition of time wasting be the same for the whole 93 minutes*?

The time from a goal is scored until the ensuing kick-off can vary widely depending on how excessive the goal celebrations are. Yet, I've rarely if ever seen time added - even when players have been cautioned for taking it too far. Is there a rule for what is an acceptable time before the game is re-started? Does it matter if the opposing players all rush to put the ball in place and get ready for kickoff? I certainly don't mind the celebrations but it seems to be the only time that the ball can be dead for such a long time without time being added.

(*I'm happy to leave mystery of the 93 minute soccer games there in the same category as the Bermuda Triangle and the Mary Celeste ;))

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

Although you are correct, the best reason for the referee to be proactive about timewasting by the winning team near the end of the match is the effect of doing nothing on the losing team.

Earlier in the match, both teams are willing to accept a slower pace. They get time to catch their breath and get ready for the next run. They get more upset that the ball is kicked away, for example, because it delays their scoring opportunity, not because it wastes time. When time is short, however, so are the tempers of the losing team.

The referee who is warning and then cautioning for timewasting may be preventing the nasty tackle, the (literal) fight for the ball out of play, or some other form of retaliation that comes with frustration when the winning team is stalling.