Question Number: 22280

Law 7 - Match Duration 10/19/2009

RE: Under 13

p norton of chelmsford, essex asks...

If a goal is scored with last kick of game does ref have to restartr game with kick. or can he finish game as soon as goal scored?

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

If time is up immediately after the ball went in the net, there is no need to have a restart. Some referees will do so, so the team that was scored upon don't think the goal shouldn't have counted because time had already expired.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi
It is difficult to be very precise in the timing of games with time added on for injuries, substitutions, time wasting etc. Many times its a combination of actual time lost on injuries with the watch stopped plus an estimate for subs etc.
Under the law when the time is up there is no need to restart the game. However after a goal in the last minute it is always a good idea to restart play as the team scored against can get upset as they then believe the game could have been stopped before the goal was scored. As a referee we have all been there. Ref decides to play 3 minutes added time and with 20 seconds to go a free kick is launched into the penalty area and a goal is scored. Ref looks at his watch and when he gets to the centre circle 3.30 has elapsed so he may play a further 15/20 seconds and then blow it up.
As I say to teams always play to the final whistle.