Question Number: 29838

Law 11 - Offside 10/21/2015

RE: Adult

Russell of Sydney, Australia asks...

Am wondering if i missed something in the Arsenal v Bayern match this morning when after the brilliant Walcott header was saved by the equally brilliant Neuer - why was there a call for offside?
Looked to me as if a bayern defender was on the goal line between the posts as well as another off to the left upright when the follow up shot was hit by chamberline. The wide attacker then stepped back onto the field.
Would that not make the attacker level with second last defender (both of them being on the goal line at tim of last attacker play.
Have I got the technical side wrong, as the attacker stepped back on the filed a full second after chamberlains follow up shot by which time the defender between the sticks had moved off the line (the wider defender was still on the goal line.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Russell
Good spot and this could not be offside. The returning Arsenal attacker was placed on the goal line for offside purposes. At the moment of the shot it would appear that there were certainly two Bayern players also on the line or over it so that placed the Arsenal player level and in an onside position. What probably influenced the AR was the quick movement of the defenders off the line and by the time the ball got to the Arsenal player it would have looked like he came back from a clear offside position over the goal line. It all happened too fast in real time with the returning player many times expected to be offside in these situations.
It also points to the fact that officials cannot compete with technology. Even on the last Arsenal goal award I thought it was a very difficult call to make in real time due to the speed of the ball and the reaction plus position of the GK.
On a related point I felt sorry for Referee Craig Joubert who awarded a crucial 78th-minute penalty in the Rugby World Cup game between Scotland and Australia. Referee Joubert decided in real time that the ball was knocked forward by a Scotland player which was picked up by a team mate in an offside position. Deliberate offside is a penalty in rugby. Now judging the decision against technology is patently unfair and even in rugby the referee does not have the option to use technology for a review in this type of scenario. He gave what he saw in real time and my first take was offside which was appealed girl by Australia.
These offside calls shows that officials are human and when one does not have action replay, slow motion, freeze frame that incorrect decisions will be made.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Russell,
good armchair spot!
The fact it was quick, the fact the returning player was further off the FOP, the fact the AR could not look across directly on the goal line because it was blocked by the goal judge but still forgot to account for the timing and movement of all concerned. I hold the opinion the goal judge knew it was ok but I believe they have no input other than ball is in or out of the goal. The EPL uses Hawkeye technology but UEFA still uses the two goal judges. Seems silly not to have greater input in my opinion.
Great game wonderful saves !
Cheers