Injury Time in Football: How It Works
Learn how injury time works in football, who decides the additional minutes, and which interruptions the referee takes into account.
What is Injury Time in Soccer
Injury time, also known as stoppage time, is the extra time added by the referee at the end of each half to compensate for interruptions during the match.
It can be assigned both at the end of the first half and at the end of the second half.
Who Decides How Many Minutes of Injury Time to Award
The decision is up to the referee.
The referee evaluates the time lost over the course of the match and determines how many minutes should be added.
The fourth official then communicates the minimum number of injury minutes.
Why Injury Time Is Awarded
Numerous interruptions can occur during a match.
The main ones include:
- substitutions; - injuries; - VAR checks; - goal celebrations; - time-wasting; - disciplinary measures; - other significant interruptions.
Is the Injury Time Shown the Exact Time?
No. The number displayed by the fourth official represents the minimum time to be played.
If there are new interruptions during injury time, the referee can add further time.
Practical Example
If 5 minutes of injury time are indicated, the match does not necessarily have to end exactly at the 95th minute.
If an injury, a substitution, or a VAR check occurs during these 5 minutes, the referee can further extend the match.
Why Do We See Longer Injury Times Nowadays
In recent years, there has been increased attention on the actual time lost during matches.
This can lead to longer injury times when many interruptions have occurred.
The goal is to more accurately compensate for the time when the ball was not really in play.
Are Celebrations Counted?
Yes, time lost after a goal can contribute to injury time.
This is especially relevant when celebrations are long or multiple goals are scored within the same playing period.
Does VAR Increase Injury Time?
It can happen.
VAR checks and monitor reviews may take several minutes, which can be added at the end of the half.
Do Substitutions Increase Injury Time?
Yes. Substitutions take time and can contribute to the amount of injury time assigned by the referee.
Are Injuries Counted?
Yes. When play is stopped to allow medical treatment or the exit of an injured player, the lost time can be added.
What Happens if a Goal is Scored During Injury Time?
The goal is valid if scored before the referee has ended the match.
Any time lost for celebrations and restarting play can also be added to the indicated injury time.
Can the Referee Whistle Before the Indicated Minutes?
The number displayed represents the minimum injury time.
Under normal conditions, the match should continue at least for that period, except in particular cases foreseen by the Laws of the Game.
Does Injury Time Exist in Extra Time?
Yes. Extra time halves can also have additional minutes if significant interruptions occur.
Injury Time and Time Wasting
Voluntary time wasting can affect injury time and may also lead to disciplinary measures.
The referee can both add time and sanction certain behaviors.
Injury Time Is Part of the Match
Yes. Injury minutes are fully part of playing time.
Goals, cards, substitutions, and other events during injury time are valid as in the rest of the match.
How to Follow Injury Time on Football17
On Football17 you can follow the match status, elapsed time, score, and events in real time.
In live matches, the timer and match status allow you to understand when the game has entered the final minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who decides the injury time? The match referee.
Are the indicated minutes the maximum? No. They represent the minimum time to be added.
Is VAR time recovered? Time used for VAR checks and reviews can be added to injury time.
Can injury time exceed 10 minutes? Yes, if match interruptions justify a very long added time.
Is a goal scored during injury time valid? Yes, if the game is still ongoing and the match has not been ended by the referee.