Question Number: 29271

Law 11 - Offside 3/27/2015

RE: Adult

demetris protopapas of limassol, Cyprus asks...

Hello,we have a controversy here in Cyprus over an offside decision given by the referee in soccer game.This decision devided the soccer fans in 2 opposite sides and no one here gave an official answer. Can you help if I send you the video.If yes where can I send it? Thx /Demetris

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Demetris
I wonder if your question relates to the offside decision in the game between APOEL and APOLLON
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=52oqOdTkk3o&t=4m18s
If not send us a link to the video and we will respond
Now in this game we can say for certain that the goal scorer was in an offside position by some 2/3 yards when the cross was made.. That part is clear and certain. Now the next part is that the ball touched a Blue player #17 rather a Yellow player. It does not seem to touch Blue# 17s team mate and I certainly cannot tell from the video here. The AR and referee then had to decide if the touch by Blue #17 was a deliberate play of the ball or if it rebounded or deflected off him to the Yellow attacker. If it was deemed to be a rebound or a deflection then the Yellow attacker gained an advantage by being in that offside position so the correct call is offside. If it deemed to be a deliberate play then offside is reset and the goal would be awarded.
Personally I think that if I was the AR I would be flagging this as offside. I don't see enough of a deliberate play here by Blue #17 to reset the offside. He appears to be looking away, he seems to think that his team mate is playing the ball and the ball hits him on the hip which is then a rebound.
I certainly think that there is sufficient doubt here that it was not deliberate so on balance the AR got it correct. I would also say that these type of decision are in the opinion of the referee crew based on what they see from their viewpoint at that moment in the game. The game also had additional assistant referees who should be able to help with the decision as to the nature of the touch.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Demetris

we could only offer an opinion based on what the video angle might incline us to believe. Real time decisions are not biased with the rewind slow motion couch view. I looked at the video Ref McHugh suggests MIGHT be the incident you are referring to. It is clear the goal scorer was in an offside position at the time of the cross.

What is UNCLEAR to me is if the ball was deliberately played by the 1st defender trying to kick the ball only to miskick it into the 2nd blue player which then changes the ball direction towards the offside positioned attacker. If THIS scenario was true then the goal in my opinion would be good! The reasoning is a MISTAKE by an opponent while deliberately playing the ball is unfortunate but it DOES reset offside for their opponents.


If the ball did not contact the first defender as he ran forward and swung his leg at the ball and missed! IF the ball ONLY rebounded off the 2nd defender's hip, given his position and timing then the goal is not good, in my humble opinion, as the attacker has gained an advantage, offside is the correct call. I do not believe that was a deliberate play as I think the 2nd defender thought the first defender was going to clear.

It looks as if the CR and AR were in agreement this was the case?

If you have a video I suggest you download it onto youtube and send us a link! If there is a different scenario then our assumption this one is the one you are referring to? Keep in mind that I have watched the video in question several times! I have stopped, rewind and paused and I am still not completely convinced. Real time decisions made by the CR in charge, his match his decision his reputation! A split second is all they have to get it right. I say the officials make the correct choice far more often than players! LOL Thanks for the question and the vote of confidence we could help explain it properly.

Cheers

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

See Question: 29352