Soccer games have a built-in time buffer known as stoppage time, which is added to the official playing time to complete each 45-minute half. Unlike other sports like NBA or NFL, the soccer clock never stops, even when play is interrupted by injuries, throw-ins, fouls, and other delays. These “time-wasting” moments are tracked by the head referee using a second watch and added to the end of each half to make up for lost time. The amount of stoppage time added is at the discretion of the referee, who communicates with the fourth official on the sideline as the game progresses.
Stoppage time is a long-standing tradition in soccer, dating back to the origins of the sport in 19th-century England. Unlike other sports that stop the clock after each play, the running clock in soccer simplifies the game and allows referees to focus on other aspects of the game. There is no maximum amount of stoppage time that can be added to a game, as it depends on the number of delays and interruptions that occur during play.
To determine how much stoppage time to add, the referee tracks any “time-wasting” moments that occur during the game, such as injuries, goal celebrations, fouls, and substitutions. There is no universal amount of stoppage time added during a match, as it varies depending on the specific game’s flow and pace. The referee uses their discretion to determine how much time is necessary to make up for any delays.
Stoppage time is shown to viewers on TV or at the game through a sign held up by the fourth official on the sideline. However, no official stoppage time clock is displayed because the referee may continue the play after the stoppage time has expired. Stoppage-time goals are common in soccer and are played under the same rules as regular goals.
In summary, stoppage time is a necessary aspect of soccer to account for delays and interruptions that occur during play. It is up to the referee to determine how much additional time should be added to each half, depending on the specific game’s flow and pace.