What should a referee do if the half is ended prematurely and there are still minutes left to play?

In a situation where a half ends prematurely and there are still minutes left to play, the correct course of action is to bring the teams back to play the remaining minutes. This is essential to uphold the integrity of the game, ensuring that the full duration of play is completed as required by the laws of the game.

When a half does not reach its full time, it means that the match has not been played as intended, which could affect the outcome and fairness of the game. Referees are responsible for maintaining the rules, which include ensuring that the match is played in its entirety unless there are extraordinary circumstances that would justify ending it early, such as severe weather conditions or safety issues.

The other responses would not reflect proper protocol in officiating. Declaring the game finished without completing the half negates the effort and preparation of both teams. Allowing teams to leave the field without fulfilling the full half diminishes the match's fairness. Similarly, adjusting the final score based on incomplete time does not align with the principles of sportsmanship or proper match conduct, as it does not reflect the actual play that occurred.