Source: Daily_Mail
GRAHAM POLL: Well done ref, you timed it just right
Having watched a complete re-run of Sunday's Manchester derby, I have to conclude that Martin Atkinson was absolutely correct and highly credible in his time-keeping.
Mystery and controversy often surround the amount of additional time allowed, but this is covered in law seven, 'The duration of a match'.
It is wonderfully ambiguous in listing the reasons why allowance for time lost should be made.
There are five listed: substitutions; assessment of injury to players; removal of injured players from the field of play for treatment; wasting time: and any other cause.
The final point makes it easy to understand the lack of clarity when a law relies on so much subjectivity.
There is no need to add time on whenever the ball goes out of play for throw-ins, goal kicks or free-kicks, as they are viewed as natural stoppages.
Referees tend to follow guidelines, which are that for every goal or substitution you should allow 30 seconds and then add a minute or two for injuries and/or time-wasting, if they have occurred.
When there is a lengthy delay for a serious injury, it is often timed and added to the calculated time.
There were three goals and three substitutions in the second half at Old Trafford, which means that a minimum of three minutes had to be added, plus a minute due to other causes, hence the four minutes which were indicated.
Then, in stoppage time, there was another goal and a substitution, meaning that at least one more minute had to be added, with a fan running on to the pitch taking up further seconds.
So, well done Martin Atkinson for attention to detail and to Manchester United for playing right to the final whistle.
