Question Number: 24858

Law 7 - Match Duration 4/27/2011

RE: level 7 Adult

Jeff Revell of London, UK asks...

I recently watched my sons game where the referee played 35mins in the first half (u14, so this was correct). But blew up early after only 27/28 mins in the second half. Despite both managers and a linesman telling him he had not played the full game he insisted time was up. The weather conditions were good and the light was fine. Any idea if the match can be replayed. It was finely poised at 4-3?

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Jeff
When the referee states that the full period of time has been played there can be no basis for appeal unless the referee accepts that he made an error. If he insisted time was up then that is unlikely.
The winning team could offer a replay with the agreement of the League. The most high profile one of those was when Arsenal offered a replay to Sheffield United after the famous Kanu incident where an uncontested goal was scored from a 'fair play' throw in during their FA Cup game a number of years ago.

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

Law 5 says, 'The decisions of the referee regarding facts connected with play, including whether or not a goal is scored and the result of the match, are final.'

This means that a protest would not be entertained. As Ref McHugh notes, any replay would have to be voluntary on the part of both teams, and approved by the league.

However, it does not mean that the referee acted correctly. If you are absolutely certain that the correct time was not played, the incident should be reported to the powers that be in the league so the ref's performance can be checked.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

The referee keeps track of time. If the referee says that 35 minutes has expired, that judgment decision cannot be challenged.

If the referee erroneously believed that the half was supposed to last only 30 minutes, this is an error in the application of the league rules that may be reversed. Normally, the entire match will be replayed. Some leagues, however, provide by local rule that a match will not be replayed if ended (for any reason) after the completion of one half.

OTOH, the league may wonder if the referee is competent to deserve any future assignments. It is unusual to end a match in this manner. The league may ask for an explanation.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

If the "linesman" was actually a certified Assistant Referee, then I would be quite upset with this referee for not listening to him/her. If the "linesman" was a club linesman that's different.

The referee may have really thought time was up and the only people he would listen to would be part of his crew.

I suppose you could lodge a complaint and see if the referee says he allowed the full 35 minutes or if he allowed 30 minutes in which case the game might be replayed. If the referee says he allowed 35 minutes each half, I doubt there's anything you can do other than voice an opinion with the local authorities