Question Number: 21066

Law 11 - Offside 3/31/2009

RE: Club Soccer Under 12

Mark A. Czyzewski of Lebanon, Ohio USA asks...

I heard that FIFA is changing the Offside rule. How are they chaning the rule and when will it go into effect.

Thanks,

Mark A. Czyzewski

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

I suppose you'll know as soon as we do on July 1st, when the new changes, if any, are posted by FIFA.

Frankly, though, I doubt very seriously if there will be any changes in the offside Law at all.

Answer provided by Referee Steve Montanino

I do not know of any changes to law 11. You must have a special connection that we don't have.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

USSF has just issued a memorandum stating that :

This memorandum confirms that "interfering with play" cannot be decided unless
the attacker in an offside position makes contact with the ball.

This is a major change in interpretation as when we decide interferring with play.

here is previous interpretation:

On August 24, 2006, USSF issued a memorandum based on the developing
interpretation and application of Law 11 which specifically laid out the proposition that
"interfering with play" requires either touching the ball or making a credible move to
play the ball.

Now, contact must be made

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

Remember that an offside-positioned player may still be called offside for 'interfering with an opponent', even if she does not contact the ball.

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

See Question: 21114

See Question: 21113