Question Number: 16474

Law 7 - Match Duration 8/29/2007

RE: College

ashish yadav of bhopal, madhya pradesh india asks...

whats the result if a goal is scored at the last moment of the match. as in first whistle was blown and the goal was scored.... will it be counted?

Answer provided by Referee Steve Montanino

If the requirements for a goal were met before the referee DECIDES that time has expired then a goal may count. If the referee decides that time has expired and then a goal has been scored even if the whistle has not yet been blown, then the goal cannot count.

Also, in the event that the ball is flying into the goal and the referee blows the whistle for any reason or by accident, the referee has stopped play and the goal may not be counted.

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

Time is up when the referee decides time is up. He announces that decision by blowing his whistle. If the ball goes into the net after the referee has ended the half, it doesn't count.

We need to ask just why that referee was focusing his attention on his watch to see when the last second clicked off, instead of watching the exciting play developing in front of the net. Football/soccer is not a sport meant to be timed to the exact microsecond. Referees are to add time to compensate for time lost elsewhere in the match. If the referee is properly paying attention to ongoing play and misses the end of the match by a few seconds, there is no harm done. Look at the watch when you don't need to be looking elsewhere.

Answer provided by Referee Ben Mueller

Not if the ball did not fully cross the goal line and go between the posts and under the cross bar before the whistle was blown. Also, foolish referee for blowing the whistle right as the ball was going to go into the net.