Question Number: 26648

Law 7 - Match Duration 8/19/2012

RE: Competive Under 14

John Webb of Sydney, NSW Australia asks...

In golden point extra time the attacking team has a shot at goal the goalie comes out and gets a hand to it but doesnt stop it and the ball bounces toward the goal and just before it crosses the goal line into the net the referee calls time for the end of that period. Should this goal have been awarded.

Answer provided by Referee Jason Wright

Odd - I didn't think anywhere played golden goal anymore.

In answer to your question, I know a lot of areas in Australia have strict instructions to not play stoppage time.

In those cases, I firmly believe that when time is up, it's up. If it's a rule to not play stoppage time, then playing so much as an extra second is unfair refereeing, in my opinion (and I've had heated debates with many officials on this very topic!).

To do otherwise is extremely unfair to the defending team. You have a set amount of time to score - time shouldn't be extended just for one team because that team was lucky enough to be attacking around full time.

If stoppage time is being played? Well, really the same rule does apply, but the difference is that you can never really get stoppage time 100% correct, so the referee does have a bit more leeway there.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi John
The 'Golden Goal' was removed from the Laws of the Game in 2004 as a recognised way of deciding a tie. I'm surprised that it is still being used?
Anyway the referee is the sole timekeeper and when time has fully expired the game is ended.
Referees use different method to keep time. Some will stop their stopwatch for every stoppage and when the watch reaches zero play is stopped no matter where the ball is or what is happening in play.
Other referees will stop the watch for say injuries and then make an estimation for substitutes, time wasting etc. In that system the referee will find discretion to see a play out to a conclusion.
Either method is acceptable although I personally don't like the stopping play no matter where the ball is timing method as it does cause rancor and it is generally not a common. method.
So in your case as play was ended, the goal could not be allowed. Another referee using another timing metod may have allowed play to continue to a conclusion.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Ending a game by a Golden Goal is no longer allowed by the Laws Of The Game but that really doesn't matter here. The referee stopped play before the ball crossed over the goal line to score a goal in accordance with Law 10 so there can be no goal.
SHOULD the referee have stopped play is another question entirely.