Here is a FIFA press release explaining the new uniform system of timing, which this website will follow in matches beginning with the 1998-99 season.

__________

FIFA TO APPLY STANDARDISED TIMING ALSO DURING THE 1999 FIFA CONFEDERATIONS CUP

ciudad de México, 25 July 1999 - The Under-17 World Championship in Egypt in September 1997 was used by FIFA to introduce a standardised system of timing goals, substitutions and other incidents during football matches. This system was then applied during the FIFA Confederations Cup 1997 as well as the World Cup in France 1998 and continues to be used for all other official FIFA competitions.

For example, if the player LOPEZ scores a goal after 32 minutes and 15 seconds, it is recorded as "in the 33rd minute" and not "after 32 minutes". Thus, the goal would be recorded LOPEZ (33) and not LOPEZ (32).

There is also a new way to distinguish when a goal is scored in the time added on for stoppages at the end of the first half or second half. This is done by adding a "+" sign. If a goal is scored after, for example, 46 minutes 30 seconds of the first half, before half-time, this is recorded as LOPEZ (47+). If a goal is scored in the second minute of the second half, this is recorded as LOPEZ (47).

In the time added on for stoppages at the end of a match played without extra time, a goal scored after 92 minutes 45 seconds is recorded as LOPEZ (93). However, if the match goes then to extra time, that goal must be recorded as LOPEZ (93+), to show that it was scored before a goal scored in the first minute of extra time (91).

PY