Question Number: 29788

Law 11 - Offside 10/6/2015

RE: Competitive youth Under 15

Ross of Norwell, Massachusetts United States asks...

In a recent game an AR signaled for offside in a sequence that went as follows. Two players were standing in the 18 yard area in 'offside positions' when the ball was struck from distance towards the goal. I think it is fair to say it was a shot rather than a long pass, and indeed the ball went in the net.

During the sequence one of the PIOP made a run across the goal (and in goalkeepers line of vision). The explanation of referee was the PIOP was in the active play and interfered with the opponent (distracted and or interfered with goalkeepers ability to see the shot). The resulting goal was disallowed and a IDFK awarded for offside.

The coach of the attacking team challenged the referee that you cannot be offside from a shot but based on the potential for a somewhat subjective interpretation in these situations I suggest the AR and Ref made the correct call in this instance.

I would be interested on your view of this particular situation and your judgment on the statement you cannot be offside on a shot?

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Ross,
I do not like the CR explanation, there is no distracted aspects, we do not worry what a keeper thinks, only the ACTIONS of the PIOP are looked at for IMPACT! Still given your description I believe the raised flag of the AR in that match, sounds 100% spot on! Coach not so much.
It is a foolish statement to say you cannot be offside on a shot.
It is however a ..JUDGMENT.. whether you were impacting play by involving yourself when offside positioned. If the two PIOPS had remained outside the angle of the vision of the keeper had on the incoming ball flight then the goal could be awarded

Right out of the law book FIFA QUOTE
interfering with an opponent" means preventing an opponent from
playing or being able to play the ball by clearly obstructing the opponent's
line of vision or challenging an opponent for the ball

#6 diagram An attacker in an offside position (A) is obstructing the goalkeeper's line of vision. He must be penalised because he prevents an opponent from playing or being able to play the ball.
End Quotes

FIFA circular July #3
1. "Interfering with an opponent"
Clarification
In addition to the situations already outlined in the Laws of the Game, a player in an offside position shall also be penalised if he:
• clearly attempts to play a ball which is close to him when this action impacts on an
opponent or
• makes an obvious action which clearly impacts on the ability of an opponent to play the ball

Guidance
• 'clearly attempts' – this wording is designed to prevent a player who runs towards the ball from quite a long distance being penalised (unless he gets close to the ball).
• 'close' is important so that a player is not penalised when the ball goes clearly over his head or clearly in front of him.
• 'impact' applies to an opponent's ability (or potential) to play the ball and will include situations where an opponent's movement to play the ball is delayed, hindered or prevented by the offside player

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

While 'distracting' has gone to the wayside, it is still an offense to block the opponent's view of the ball while in an offside position. So while the ref's explanation was faulty, the call was not.

And the coach's claim that a 'shot' nullifies offside has no merit. It doesn't matter what kind of play it is - it could even be an inadvertent touch. All that matters is that the ball was last touched by a teammate when the player was in an offside position.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Ross
The decisions rests on whether the action of the player in an offside position clearly obstructed the opponent's line of vision to the ball in this case the goalkeeper.
Now the coach was incorrect that a player cannot be offside on a shot. That is true provided a PIOP is not blocking the view of an opponent to the ball.