Question Number: 20003

Law 11 - Offside 9/19/2008

RE: rec Adult

alex of richmond hill, ontario canada asks...

A forward pass is made to an attacker in the offside position. A defender try to intercept the ball but fails to control the ball which ends up going to the offside attacker after hitting the defender's outstretched foot. As the AR, I raised my flag to indicate offside. The ref blew his whistle and came over to tell me that it is not offside because the defender last touch the ball.

I remembered in a past article saying don't argue with the ref as the AR is only there to assist. Actually it will also look bad in front of the players. I told the referee that it is a deflection off the defender to the offside attacker and then shut up.

My question here is what should I do if the same situation happens again during the match? Should I stick to the center referee's definition on offside?

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

If you told him it was a deflection, and the light didn't go on for the referee, you've done all you can do at the game, except to possibly remind him that a deflection off a defender doesn't count in determining offside. If he is resistant or insists he is correct, drop it.

The next thing to do is to get in touch with the assignor who put you both on the game, and let this person know what happened. A correction coming from an assignor who has the power not to put a referee on games if the referee insists on applying the clearly written Law incorrectly always has more effect. Oh, and ask the assignor not to schedule with this person in the future.

If that doesn't work, perhaps a senior instructor/assessor person in your area could be clued in and might agree to visit with the referee to make sure we are all on the same page.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

HI Alex,
You gave correct information the referee came to an incorrect solution sometimes it is difficult to save one from himself if he truly wants to shoot himself in the foot. One could insisit on assisting a bit further reminding him about law 11 offside decision 3 gaining an advantage specifically addresses this. As a Canadian telling to look it up in the USA ATR is likely going to make him mad . ;o)

Offside is the ARs call primarily because he is the one in best view and position to determine it. It is a priority for the AR! Referees as a GENERAL RULE go with the ARs 99% of the time.

When you as AR know something that is important and the referee ignores you, refuses to belive you, lacks the courage to correct his first mistake or simply chooses to see it different because he does not know any better it is quite lkely to irritate or upset because it reflects on the referee's credability and the officials' ability to gain respect . It makes you look unneccesarily foolish to those who cannot percieve the difference and invites further touchline dissent or ridicule .
I would record and report this to the league or association, assignor or head referee affiliated so correct training and education is made public that a deflection of the ball off an opponent does not count as a controlled possession and it does not lift the offside restriction of the opponents. Gaining an advantage decision 3 suggest to the referee to read it after the match if you do not beat him with your flag stick first.
Cheers

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

See Question: 20028

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