Injury time is an indispensable part of any football match. It is typically added to each half of the game, and the duration is calculated and regulated very strictly. So, how is injury time calculated in football? Let's explore this with Wintips in the article below.
Why Is Injury Time Necessary in Each Match?
Every moment in a football match is incredibly meaningful because a goal can be scored in an instant. In a 90-minute match, both teams strive to play their best, control the game, and score against their opponents. However, the match cannot run seamlessly for the entire 90 minutes. There will be times when teams need to make substitutions, commit fouls, players get injured, and there are other stoppages.
These wasted periods are meticulously calculated by the referee and added at the end of each half. This is what we refer to as injury time in football. Injury time gives both teams additional opportunities to score or even turn the game around.
How Is Injury Time Calculated in Football?
Each football match will have different injury time durations, but they are all carefully calculated based on specific rules. Specifically:
Situations Where Injury Time Is Applied
Not every situation in the match is included in injury time calculations. The referee will only consider the following cases:
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Substitutions from both teams

Players injured needing care or transport by medical staff

Time-wasting actions by either team

Issuing of cards

The match being halted for specific reasons stated in the rules, such as extreme weather conditions (players needing to hydrate during hot weather), rain, or wind causing interruptions

Natural stoppages like throw-ins or goal kicks are only included if they consume excessive time

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Referee's Role in Deciding Injury Time
Injury time is crucial for both teams and the final result. Therefore, determining this period accurately involves multiple referees:
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The fourth official is responsible for calculating injury time for each half, announced in the final minute of official play.

The main referee can adjust the injury time but not reduce it below what the fourth official has calculated.

Injury time in the first half will not be adjusted in the second half due to any miscalculations by the referees.

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Practical Application of Injury Time in a Match
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For injuries: An assistant referee and the fourth official will monitor, starting the clock when medical staff enter the field.

The referee does not stop the clock for every incident. They signal by pressing their watch, indicating a delay to be considered for injury time.

Celebrations or substitutions can add approximately 30 seconds each. The duration can be extended at the referee's discretion.

The fourth official records all causes of delays to account for injury time. Coaches can review this list if needed.

All decisions regarding additional injury time are made by the main referee. The fourth official calculates according to regulations, but any additional time is communicated before the end of official play for each half.

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Does Injury Time Count in Football Betting?
Understanding injury time rules in football shows that this period is significant and carefully calculated. Many bettors are concerned about whether this time affects betting outcomes.
There have been numerous debates, with some believing injury time doesn't count toward betting results, while others think it does. In reality, betdirect bookmaker stipulate that injury time is considered part of official play. Therefore, goals scored during this period are included in football betting outcomes.
Depending on specific matches or situations, bookmakers might decide whether to include injury time in betting results. To know precisely, you need to understand each bookmaker's and each match's specific rules, avoiding losses due to misunderstandings about injury time.
Notes for Betting on Football to Win More Easily
Besides understanding injury time rules, here are some additional tips to help you win bets:
Differentiate Between Injury Time and Extra Time
Injury time and extra time are entirely different periods. Every match has injury time, but not every match has extra time. Injury time counts towards betting results, but extra time does not. Usually, bookmakers will open a new betting round for extra time, separate from the 90 minutes of regular play.
Player Betting Time
For all types of bets offered by bookmaker best odds, players can bet until the last minute of play. This includes injury time as announced by the referee for each half. So, you don't need to worry about whether you can place bets during injury time.
Consider Matches with Significant Delays
In football injury time rules, there are many cases where delays are too significant, and the match cannot continue immediately. The match might be postponed or canceled. In such cases, betting may be voided.
If a match is canceled in the second half, first-half bets are still valid, but second-half and full-match bets will be voided. If the match doesn't resume within 12 hours, all bets are canceled.
This article outlines the rules for injury time in football, detailed calculations, and important notes for betting. Hopefully, these insights will help you calculate better and achieve more wins.