Law 7: The Duration of the Match Explained
Law 7 defines how long a football match lasts, when added time is applied, the treatment of abandoned matches, and the procedure for kicks from the penalty mark when a winner must be determined.
Key Points
- 1A match consists of two equal halves of 45 minutes each.
- 2A half-time interval of no more than 15 minutes is permitted.
- 3The referee adds time lost to each half (injuries, substitutions, deliberate delay, etc.).
- 4Added time must reflect actual time lost; deliberate wasting of time should be added.
- 5Play may not finish until the ball is out of play at the end of added time.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is added time calculated?
Added time is calculated by the referee based on time lost during the half. The most common reasons are substitutions (a minimum amount per substitution), injuries, time wasting, goal celebrations, VAR reviews, and any other stoppages. Since the 2022 World Cup, referees have been encouraged to add the full amount of time lost.
Can a match end while the ball is in play?
No. The referee cannot end a half while the ball is in play. The referee waits until the next stoppage of play before ending the half. However, if a penalty kick is being taken when time expires, the half continues until the kick has been completed.
What happens if a match is abandoned?
The competition authorities decide the outcome of an abandoned match. This may involve replaying the match from the beginning, from the point of abandonment, or awarding the match to one team. The Laws do not prescribe a specific outcome.
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