Question Number: 30813

Law 7 - Match Duration 9/25/2016

RE: Select Under 19

Howard Webb of Atlanta , GA USA asks...

I blew the whistle for the end of a game GA Youth soccer game . The A/R ran over to me and advised that I had 3 minutes more to play . I had previously had to reset my watch with the A/R and I know him well and trusted his judgement . The players and officials were all still on the field . I restarted the game,with a drop ball, and played the additional 3 minutes . Was this correct ?

Answer provided by Referee MrRef

Hi Howard,
I believe you likely were correct, it is good you are aware you require two equal halves to be played. The AR as a neutral official is certainly correct in pointing out a time discrepancy. If you are certain that info is correct then you were correct to restart and finish off the match. IF the final whistle is an inadvertent whistle, then a drop ball restart at the ball location on the field subject to the special circumstances within the goal area when you blew for time would be the correct restart:- UNLESS you ended the match on a throw in or free kick of some sort THEN that is how you would restart!
from our pitch to your pitch in the spirit of fair play!

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi
No issue with restarting the game with additional information provided by an AR and everyone still on the FOP. Different matter if everyone has exited the FOP. The game is then over.
Not sure how that happened unless you have only one watch and failing to restart the watch if it was stopped. Also was the 3 minutes added time? If it was then the AR is not the timekeeper and say 45 minutes was played then so be it. The game is over for me.
Also it is a good practise to agree a time up signal with the ARs in the prematch. The CR can then signal x minutes of added time by a discreet hand signal to the ARs. If you are not getting a time expired signal from either or both officials then it is alerting you that your timing is off. It allows you to investigate it discreetly at a stoppage.

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