Question Number: 23311

Law 7 - Match Duration 5/15/2010

RE: competitive Under 16

Darren Boynton of Saco, Maine USA asks...

Is it proper to end a half before a corner kick is set to be taken?

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Referee Boynton
When all the time has expired the refereee should end the half / game. That is a judgement call for the referee to make based on his assessment of whether he has made provision for all lost time. What I certainly would not do is allow the kick to be taken and then stop the ensuing play say with the ball in flight. If the corner is taken I would see the play out to a conclusion. Otherwise blow the whistle and end play before it is taken.
I watched a PL game recently and the referee was playing a minimum of 3 minutes. Many times referees will blow when the number of minutes has expired say in midfield. However a corner was awarded just over the 3 and the referee allowed it to be taken. He blew up at circa 3.15. Perhaps he intended to play until 3.15.
The referee is in sole charge of time and only the referee can tell when time has expired.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

Yes. The half/match can end when the ball is out of play.

It is common for referees to stop youth matches at half time once the ball is back in play. One reason is entirely outside the laws of the game. Players usually will not go get a ball that has left the field after the half time whistle blows. Some referees don't like to have to gather the ball.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

The 'proper' time to end a half is when the referee decides that all added time has been used up.