Question Number: 12037

Law 11 - Offside 1/6/2006

RE: top amateur Adult

peter of whistler, bc canada asks...

Hi again all.-- I asked this question but never recieved an answer so maybe it was too tough? LOL-- A free kick is given outside the box. As last defender, I step off the field into the net. An attacker moves up into an offside position recieves a pass and shoots.-- I had to step onto the field to make a save.-- The ref said I was not allowed to go into the net or off the field? I say I can but.... Am I right, the player recieving the ball should have been offside?--- Also, I should have recieved a yellow for coming back on eh?---Thanks---Peter

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

HI Peter,
perhaps your original question got deleted somehow as we are diligent in answering every query we recieve. No matter will do our best now.

The law states that if an offside attacker is placed there because a defender steps off the FOP that defender is to be reguarded as on the goalline. Remember though it takes TWO defenders one of which COULD be the keeper, doesn't have to be, just usually is. SO while the referee COULD consider your leaving the FOP as USB or without permission to trap an opponent. For offside purposes YOU are but ONE defender standing on the goalline.

My question to you is where is the other 2nd lastdefender/keeper??

If the attacker has you and one other defender closer than he to your goaline even though you might be off the FOP there is NO offside recognized as I stated you are considered to be on the goalline.

It is not neccessarily illegal to leave the FOP during ongoing play ONLY if you do it to TRICK or decieve as in trying to fool the AR or referee into thinking there was an offside when there was not is a caution for USB rather than leaving without permission. Players leave the boundrylines all the time, be it to stepping around an opponent or overrunning the ball or play

Here are two FIFA Q&A references in LAW 3 and I will add one more from LAW 11 that show what you can and can not do in reguards to being off the FOP
1. A player accidentally passes over one of the boundary lines of the fi eld of play. Is he considered to have left the field of play without the permission of the referee?
ANSWER is No.
2. A player in possession of the ball passes over the touch line or the goalline without the ball in order to beat an opponent. What action does the referee take?
Answer is Play continues. Going outside the field of play may be considered as part of a playing movement, but players are expected, as a general rule, to remain within the playing area.
3. A defending player moves beyond his own goal line in order to place an opponent in an offside position. What action does the referee take?
Answer is The referee allows play to continue and cautions the defender for unsporting behaviour when the ball is next out of play.

And Peter one last thing you ask AM I right? I know it is a tough nut to crack but only the referee is ever right even if they are wrong! I can not figure out why you players never seem to get that quite right? LOL :o) Cheers mate

Answer provided by Referee Nathan Lacy

Peter, you can DO whatever you want - just be ready to pay the consequences when what you do is outside of the laws and spirit of the game. (insert smiley face here) One other aspect that is not mentioned here (possibly alluded to in Ref Marco's answer) but worth considering is - did the ref SEE your attempt to draw the offside call? I'm assuming yes because he/she apparently spoke with you about it. However, there are times as a ref that I "choose" to not see (or hear) certain things because the natural consequences of the action(s) (i.e. the result of the play itself) is sufficient punishment. What I mean is that, in your case for example, despite your effort to draw a call let's say the team scored a goal - and if you had actually been playing proper defense you might have prevented it. Damage done - sufficient penalty - no need for me to interfere - move on. As to why, in this case, the ref acted as he/she did only that ref can answer. All the best,

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

In short, you have left the field without the permission of the referee. That's a cautionable offense. Also, you left the field of play to unfairly place an opponent in an offside position. Also a cautionable offense. In any case, the opponent cannot be in an offside position because you are considered to be on the goal line. So, it's not only an old trick that never works, it's blatantly illegal and you should have been shown a yellow card. You can go off the field of play during the normal course of events but never purposely like you describe.

The following questions were asked as a follow up to the above question...

See Question: 12062