What is an administrative time out in football?

An administrative time out in football (soccer) is a stoppage in play called by the match officials or governing body of the competition, rather than by the teams or coaches. This type of time out is typically used for administrative purposes, such as to allow for a player to receive medical attention, for a substitution to be made, for disciplinary actions to be taken, or for a communication break between the match officials and team coaches.

Administrative time outs are relatively rare in football and are usually only used in specific circumstances, such as when there is a serious injury on the field or when there is a need for clarification or review of a controversial decision made by the match officials. The duration of an administrative time out can vary depending on the reason for the stoppage, but it is typically brief and does not extend beyond a few minutes.

Overall, administrative time outs are used to ensure the smooth running of the game and to address important administrative matters that may arise during the course of a match.