Feb 28, 2012 -- 11:37AM, buzzer wrote:

In club friendlies a referee can decide to end a game when he likes, as in yesterdays friendly where he blew for ft after 75 mins, he's not under governing bodies rulings as it's a none competitive match with nothing at stake so if he wants a shi t after an hour he can blow for ft if he wants.I never defend betfair but surely punters shouldn't be betting on this stuff when they don't even know who's playing for the teams, don't know how long the game's on for, or even if it's 11 a side!For Friendly matches, all match markets will be settled based on the result when the game ends (excluding any extra-time), regardless of whether or not the full scheduled duration is played.This is why these rules have been introduced because anything can happen and means they're covered however long is played. In competitive games the 90 minute (+ injury time) rule is there but friendlies don't have that rule.

Betfair clearly didnt know how long the match was so the game should not have appeared at all.

Feb 28, 2012 -- 11:46AM, buzzer wrote:

Yesterday they were laying 2-2 at 75 mins and then the ft whistle went because the ref felt like it, bets settled because their rules (this is bookmaker rules for friendlies too) state that's what happens.The best thing to do is not waste your money on friendly games, that could be played by animals in a farmers field for 5 minutes each way, so betfair stop offering muck like this up.Whilst people continue to bet on it they'll happily take their commission from you.

Fair enough, but they should state in their rules the match running time and that the ref can stop the game when he feels like it. Punters can then make their own mind up. I for one didnt know club friendlies can be stopped at any time.