Question Number: 22485

Law 7 - Match Duration 11/9/2009

RE: Competitive Under 13

Alex Shahbandarian of La Crescenta, CA USA asks...

I am a parent with 30 years of soccer experience. I have never experienced a referee calling the end of the half while the team was inside the 6 yard box and we scored the goal and at the same time the referee blew the whistle for half time. Is this an AYSO rule? It definetly isn't a FIFA rule. Please clarify this for me.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

1) Does the referee have the power to blow the final whistle when the referee decides time has ended, even if a goal could be scored in a second or two?

Yes. The referee is the sole judge when time expires. AYSO follows the laws of the game on this as published by FIFA and interpreted by USSF.

2) Is it a good idea to blow the whistle at that moment?

I don't believe so. The laws give tremendous discretion to the referee to decide when time expires in the hopes that the referee will use it wisely. Players expect that the match will not end when the ball is in the air headed toward the goal.

3) What was the referee thinking?

The referee likely believed that time ends when it ends and that it is unfair to give one team an advantage to score even though time has ended. AYSO reminds referees that they should not extend time to favor one side or the other.

In a World Cup qualifier years ago, a highly regarded referee blew the final whistle on a corner kick as the ball was in the air. It went into the goal a second after the final whistle. The referee was found to have been correct under the law. He was never assigned another international match.

IMO, the referee must blow the whistle when time expires. The referee, however, must be wise in deciding when time expires. Wait a few seconds if there is a chance of an imminent goal; fairness exists when the referee is prepared to extend either team that opportunity at the end of each half. We can be referees, not chronographs.
YMMV.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

I point out that it is as UNFAIR To continue time past 45 minutes for a team that has defended as it is to shorten time to not allow an attack. If there was time posted for time lost note the referee must not use less time than what is signaled but only the referee knows the exact moment when the end will be. It may seem incongruous to hear a whistle as an attack or shot is under way but time is up it is up! While we do look for less controversial ways to end the game than a whistle just ahead of a ball entering the goal such things do happen.

1) Does the referee have the power to blow the final whistle when the referee decides time has ended, even if a goal could be scored in a second or two?

Perhaps not good focus on the part of the referee, but it is not against the laws

2) Is it a good idea to blow the whistle at that moment?

Perhaps not but sometimes the ball is glued to the foot of how long do we let opportunity knock? .

3) What was the referee thinking?

Best ask the referee !


LAW 7 ? THE DURATION OF THE MATCH
Periods of Play
The match lasts two equal periods of 45 minutes, unless otherwise mutually
agreed between the referee and the two teams. Any agreement to alter the
duration of the periods of play (for example, to reduce each half to 40 minutes
because of insufficient light) must be made before the start of play and must
comply with competition rules.
Allowance for Time Lost
Allowance is made in either period for all time lost through:
? substitutions
? assessment of injury to players
? removal of injured players from the fi eld of play for treatment
? wasting time
? any other cause

The allowance for time lost is at the discretion of the referee.

Allowance for time lost
Many stoppages in play are entirely natural (e.g. throw-ins, goal kicks). An allowance is to be made only when these delays are excessive.
The fourth official indicates the minimum additional time decided by the referee at the end of the final minute of each period of play.
The announcement of the additional time does not indicate the exact amount of time left in the match.
The time may be increased if the referee considers it appropriate but never reduced.
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Alex
The referee was correct in law. He is the official timekeeper and play ends when he says it ends.
I note a good many referees uses digital watches with all the appropriate functions. Many referees stop their watch for injuries etc when it gets to 45.00 blow for the end of the half or the end of the 2nd half and the game.
I would never advise referees to do this but it does happen depending on the policy of the particular referee. The most famous one was the one mentioned by Referee Wickham which was Clive Thomas in the 1986 WC game between Brazil and Sweden. He blew the whistle while the ball was in the air from a corner that Brazil scored from. He did not allow the goal. FIFA were none to pleased as it was the last game that Mr Thomas refereed in the WC. I personally thought he should have blown up before the corner and then it would have been a non event.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MtFFqNIlPG8
The half time incident is at 6.00

Dura lex sed lex