A match lasts for two equal halves of 45 minutes, which may only be reduced if agreed between the referee and the two teams before the start of the match and if in accordance with competition rules.
Law 7
The Duration of
the MatchLaw 7
The Duration of the Match
Law 7
The Duration of
the MatchLaw 7
The Duration of the Match
Players are entitled to an interval at half-time, not exceeding 15 minutes; a short drinks break (which should not exceed one minute) is permitted at the interval of half-time in extra time. Competition rules must state the duration of the half-time interval and it may be altered only with the referee’s permission.
Allowance is made by the referee in each half for all playing time lost in that half through:
substitutions
assessment and/or removal of injured players
wasting time
disciplinary sanctions
medical stoppages permitted by competition rules e.g. ‘drinks’ breaks (which should not exceed one minute) and ‘cooling’ breaks (ninety seconds to three minutes)
delays relating to VAR ‘checks’ and ‘reviews’
goal celebrations
any other cause, including any significant delay to a restart (e.g. due to interference by an outside agent)
The fourth official indicates the minimum additional time decided by the referee at the end of the final minute of each half. The additional time may be increased by the referee but not reduced.
The referee must not compensate for a timekeeping error during the first half by changing the length of the second half.
If a penalty kick has to be taken or retaken, the half is extended until the penalty kick is completed.
An abandoned match is replayed unless the competition rules or organisers determine otherwise.
FAQs
A throw-in is awarded to Team B. The Laws of the Game do not identify the player’s behaviour as a yellow card offence, especially as it cannot be considered delaying the restart of play because the ball was in play when it was kicked. However, the referee must make correct allowance for the time lost when determining the amount of additional time.
Yes, the correct time should be allowed because goal celebrations often result in a significant amount of time being lost.
Yes, provided that the referee and both teams agree. The referee may also decide to stop, suspend or abandon the match if the condition of the field, its surrounds or the weather conditions do not allow the game to be continued.
If there is a stoppage towards the end of the game that is longer than the remaining playing time, the ‘additional time’ played is the remaining playing time, not the length of the stoppage. Therefore, in this situation the 'original' 3 minutes are shown and played.
The referee awards the goal provided that the kicker or his/her team-mate(s) has not committed any offence. The match ends once the goal is scored so the final whistle should be blown – there is no kick-off.
