Question Number: 23927

Law 7 - Match Duration 9/13/2010

RE: Rec Under 14

Terri Chappell of Atlanta, Georgia USA asks...

I have seen several questions answered here about time of the match but I haven't seen one regarding a half that was played too long. The time of each half should be 35 min. The 1st half was accidentally played for approximately 40 min. Apparently the CR did not notice the AR was slapping his watch with his flag. Is the most important part of Law #7 that the halves be equal? Because under the interpretation, it says the 'referee should not compensate for a timekeeping error in the first half by increasing or reducing the length of the second half.' I 'interpret that interpretation' as meaning the 2nd half should remain at 35 min which was the proper amount in the beginning.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

You are correct. The second half must be the correct length, even if the referee erred in the first half. The referee must include the facts about any mistake about time in the match report.

Note: it is very possible in a match for the referee to add five minutes of added time - but, this usually involves an injury to the players.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Terri
The referee must not 'compensate' for a 1st half timing error in the second half. If an error was made in the 1st half then the referee should endeavour to sort out any timing shortage before ending the half. In the case of playing for too long that cannot be sorted.
The second half should be played as normal and the timing error reported to the competition organisers.