Americans are discovering the beauty of soccer during this World Cup but remain befuddled by one thing
Millions of Americans are discovering the beauty of soccer during this World Cup — and many are asking the same question: Why doesn’t anyone know exactly how much time is left? They deserve an answer.Unlike most major sports, soccer allows the clock to keep running during injuries, substitutions and video reviews, asking referees to estimate how much time should be added.This encourages time-wasting gambits.
It frustrates fans and is easy to fix.In its current state, soccer’s clock doesn’t stop even when play does.And play stops often in the closing minutes.
Play stops for injuries — and ridiculous theatrics feigning injuries.Play stops for substitutions.
Play stops for video reviews.Medical staffers stroll onto the field to “check” wailing players who are, in reality, fine.
All the while, the clock runs, leaving referees to gauge afterward how much playing time should be restored.Near the end of each half, an official raises a crude LED board to announce a rounded estimate of time.But that number is not law.
No one, not the players, coaches, or spectators, knows exactly when the match will end.Only one referee even has access to the running clock, and his application of it is deliberately elastic. Say four minutes of stoppage time have been announced.
If the 94th minute arrives while a team is in the middle of a dangerous attack, no referee blows the whistle.Everyone expects play to continue until the sequence has naturally concluded.
Custom and discretion determines the endpoint.Every referee interprets these customary rules differently, and the results can be infuriating.Take a June 29 match between Brazil and Japan.
The official announced six minutes of added time, yet play continued for nearly twice that long as the referee tacked on extra time for further delays.The ref may have been justified, but his decision left viewers wondering when exactly the match is supposed to end. The players know this nonsense will annoy the fans, but they...