Question Number: 22181

Law 7 - Match Duration 10/7/2009

RE: Under 17

Dave of Des Moines, IA US asks...

This question is a follow up to question 22154

Do you consider the risk of injury in such situations?
I used to always wait until the ball was put into play before blowing the whistle for the expiration of time.
On one occassion, time expired right before a goal kick but I let the kick go ahead because I thought it was tradition to wait until ball was in play before whistling.
Two kids knocked heads going for a header just as I blew the whistle and both were on the ground for a while.
Nothing too bad but it made me wonder why on earth would I risk injury in such a situation. A corner kick is understandable, but I'd rather catch flack form a fan or two than to see a kid get injured for such a stupid reason.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

No. Time is up when it's up. Injuries may happen if you allow play to continue but if for some reason you are allowing play to continue after the game is over, you shouldn't make the chance of injury a deciding factor although this is an argument AGAINST extending time past when all time has been used.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Dave
Risk of injury is not a consideration for me. Time is up or it isn't.
In the scenario you describe I would be sounding the whistle as soon as the ball is leaving the penalty area and then there is no chance of contact between players. On a corner kick I would allow it proceed and accept the outcome..

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

If you are allowing play then allow it! If you are ending the match then end it! In the case of the goal kick just sound the whistle as soon as it was kicked then no one would bother heading it?
You now know that you can end the match without restarting it thus what you describe is not likely to occur. There is always a risk in any contact sport! Soccer in the head to head on an aerial ball is for sure a possibility.
Cheers