Question

State any five circumstances under which time is lost during a game of football.

Answer 1

It's a waste of time during the game. Extra time in football compensates for time lost in activities other than football play, such as substitutions, fouls, injuries and yellow and red cards, respectively. This is calculated by match officials outside the ground. The referee is the official timekeeper for the match. The referee's watch stops every time play stops, but the clock continues and when the 90 minute mark is reached on the referee's watch, the match officials outside the playing field display extra time on an LED board.

The circumstances under which time is lost during a game of football are:

1. Substitutions: Players are substituted and time is lost. The clock continues to run until the substitution is completed.
2. Injuries: When a player is injured and requires medical attention, the referee may pause the clock until the player is treated and play restarts.
3. Time-wasting: If a team intentionally delays the restart of play (for example, by waiting too long for throw-ins, goal kicks or free kicks), the referee may add extra time at the end of the half.
4. Goal celebrations: Excessive celebrations after a goal can result in time being lost, which the referee will add back at the end of the half.
5. Ball retrieval: When the ball exits play and must be recovered, time is lost, especially if it travels far from the field.