Question Number: 19317

Law 11 - Offside 6/9/2008

RE: Rec Adult

Simon Byrne of SKELMERSDALE, LANCASHIRE England asks...

Is a defender who has slid behind the goal line classed as being on the goal line for offside purposes? e.g. the Holland goal against Italy - wasn't the Italian Player behind the line playing Van Nistelroy on side?

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Yes he was onside as was the other Dutch player returning from outside the field
While the debate will rage if the officials should have granted the Italian player permission to be off the field for injury or ignore him the laws were clear he was off the field through natural play and as such being past the goal line for offside purposes is considered on the goal line!
The AR was in my opinion spot on!

Answer provided by Referee Jon Sommer

Yes indeed he was. This law is there to stop players circumventing the laws of the game by stepping off the field and playing players offside.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Wow. We are getting this question over and over. I wish I could have heard the commentary. The announcers must have been screaming for offside. Of course, as all referees know and as all commentators SHOULD know, the opponent off the field over the goal line is considered to be ON the goal line for purposes of offside putting 2 opponents between the shooter and the goal keeping him onside when the ball was played.