Question Number: 15239

Law 7 - Match Duration 4/22/2007

RE: Under 13

Mark warner of manchester, Cheshire ENGLAND asks...

Can the referee blow the final whistle when he has just awarded a corner kick

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Mark,
time is up when it is up.
Only for a penalty kick can a match be extended to finish a restart.
That said time is relative and rarely to the micro second. Who knows how much added time might have allready been played or could be added?
The referee had decided match duration had occurred!
game over!
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Steve Montanino

Yes. The time in the match expires when the time expires. That's it.

One thing from a practical standpoint for a referee who reads this to consider is - if time expires at a corner before the ball is in play and you're going to end the game, do it before the attacking side puts the ball into play. Don't be "that guy" who blows the whistle just after the kick is taken which then causes mass anger from one side after they put the ball into the goal. Make it simple for everyone, there is no requirement that the ball be in play to end the game.

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

Yes. I just did so this weekend. The player took his merry old time getting the ball, and then adjusting it just so on the corner arc. They knew time was almost up, as I had just told them so less than a minute before. My watch got to the +2 minutes I had decided to add for stoppages, so I blew my whistle.

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

Sometimes the referee is well served by DELAYING the whistle until the corner taker has collected the ball and brought it back to the area of the field. This is a good thing when the referee is tired and doesn't want to play go-fetch. I mean, why chase the ball when a player is getting it anyway. If you blow for time before the player gets the ball, he won't get it, you have to... That's another of the things to ADD time for, you know -- any other cause --

Regards,

Answer provided by Referee Ben Mueller

The referee only needs to extend the game or half for a PK. The referee can end a half or game at a corner kick.