When does a football match end? Does it end at the first blow of the final whistle, or the last one? For example, if the referee blows the first blast of the final whistle and the ball goes in the back of the net before the last blast of the final whistle, is this a legitimate goal?

Question

When does a football match end? Does it end at the first blow of the final whistle, or the last one? For example, if the referee blows the first blast of the final whistle and the ball goes in the back of the net before the last blast of the final whistle, is this a legitimate goal?

Question #90189. Asked by richard_n413.
Last updated Aug 20 2021.

triviapaul
Answer has 4 votes

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triviapaul
20 year member
333 replies avatar

Answer has 4 votes.

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As far as I know this is not regulated anywhere in the rules.

http://www.syossetsoccer.org/home/683808.html

Officially, he referee doesn't even have to blow a whistle, he just has to "signal" his decisions.
And it is his discretion too if a goal scored after the first whistle counts or not.
Universally accepted is, that as soon as the referee blows the whistle, play is stopped, but that is more tradition than law.

Response last updated by CmdrK on Aug 20 2021.
Dec 22 2007, 6:38 PM

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Answer 1

NFL Football:

The violation occurs at the time that the player commits it, not at the time that the official manages to blow his whistle. (The same is true with any other foul. The foul occurs when it occurs and the official sees it, not when the officials flag hits the ground. That is why the announcers claim that it was a "late flag," is one of the most ignorant statements that can be made.)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_gridiron_football_rules#Penalties