The Duration of the Match

1. Playing periods

Play two equal halves of 45 minutes. A shorter duration requires both teams’ and the referee’s agreement before kick-off and must comply with competition rules.

2. Half-time

The half-time interval cannot exceed fifteen minutes. Competition rules set its duration; changes require referee permission. Extra-time half-time may include a short drinks break, normally no longer than one minute.

3. Time lost

Add time in each half for substitutions, injury assessment/removal, time-wasting, disciplinary action, authorised medical breaks, VAR delays, goal celebrations and other significant restart delays. Drinks breaks should not exceed one minute; cooling breaks last ninety seconds to three minutes.

At the end of the final scheduled minute, the fourth official displays the minimum addition chosen by the referee. It may be increased but not reduced. A first-half timekeeping error cannot be compensated by altering the second half.

4. Penalty at the end of a period

Extend the half until a required penalty or penalty retake is completed.

5. Abandonment

Replay an abandoned match unless competition rules or organisers determine another outcome.

28 April 2026 amendment

If a team is responsible for a match being abandoned because it has fewer than seven players, it in principle forfeits the match, subject to the relevant competition regulations. This amendment supplements the supplied PDF.