Question Number: 2900

Law 11 - Offside

RE: travel

George of seven fields, pa usa asks...

I have a question about the response given for question number 48 on your quick whistle quiz. Here is the question: A player makes a pass towards his teammate who is in an offside position inside the opponents penalty area. An opponent reaches out with his hand and deliberately deflects the ball with his hand away from the goal to the player whom the pass was intended. Your action is???? Correct answer IFK to the defenders and no cards..... Explanation.... A player cannot be saved from being in the offside position. A mere deflection, whether by hand or foot by an opponent does not constitue control by the opponent. Thus since we penalize the foul that occurs first, the correct call is offside which occurred at the moment the ball was was played by the players teammate. The handling occurred afterwards even though the intent of the defender was unsporting.... I know that based on the scenario given I would have been lining the players up for a PK because of the deliberate hadling issue. My rationale wuold be based on active involvement. Where is the offside player in relation to the teammate with the ball? Does he meet the requirement of active involvement, gaining advantage, etc that would constitute me calling an offside infraction???? What are your thoughts on this answer...Thaks again.....Great website!!!!!!!!..George

Answer provided by Referee Victor Matheson

If the pass was headed right towards the attacker before the handball, that would constitute active involvement.

Answer provided by Referee Dawson

Hi George, ..The real key is in the first part of the question ."A player makes a pass ....towards.... his teammate who is in an offside position" At this moment the offside is judged with reguards to position as the pass was intended to a player either waiting or moving that player is directly involved. You do not need to actually touch the ball to be guilty of the infringement. Question 2842 deals with the same question I will agree that a player could be offside in a far section of the field not interfering with play and your decision would be correct. Cheers

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

See Question: 29004