Question Number: 30291

Law 11 - Offside 4/14/2016

RE: All Other

Peter Grove of Middlesbrough, North Yorkshire United Kingdom asks...

Just wanted to mention (in case you guys hadn't noticed already) that the new laws of the game have now been published:

http://www.theifab.com/files/1%20-%20160412_laws-of-the-game-Digital_Print.pdf

Lots to discuss here but I think one of the potentially trickiest amendments is the one that allows an IFK for offside to be awarded in the player's own half.

It is not explained how the mechanics for this will work. Which AR will indicate the location of the free kick? The one in the half where the player was in an offside position (which means following the player back into the other half) or the one in the half where the free kick is awarded (who doesn't necessarily know if the player actually was in an offside position beforehand)?

Either way it seems to present a logistical quandary.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Peter
we know, it has been posted another link on the site.
The spot of the challenge (interferes with opponent) or the spot of the ball contact (interferes with play) should be reasonably easy to sort out as the whistle stops play. At the pro level they have radio ! In regulation the AR stays with 2nd last he would follow to the midline if the PIOP was in his own half the AR could just point with the flag or perhaps wave a hand . What could be interesting is we used to be ok with an early flag for a PIOP in sole pursuit. Restart from where he was to start, where he was when whistle goes (my choice) or where we think he would have touched the ball ? LOL

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Peter
This is a fundamental change
The previous Law stated that *when an offside offence occurs, the referee awards an indirect free kick to be taken from the position of the offending player when the ball was last played to him by one of his team-mates.*
That has now been replaced by *If an offside offence occurs, the referee awards an indirect free kick where the offence occurred, including if it is in the player's own half of the field of play.*
The other half offence is not a frequent call yet the one where say the PIOP runs 30 yards to touch the ball or interfere with an opponent does happen quite a bit. The IDFK was previously taken 30 yards further up the FOP whereas now it is taken from where the offside offence was *completed* . That is much easier as it does not require the AR to change position once he flags.
I guess on the ones in the players own half the referee will give the free kick from the location of the offence the same as any other offence that is where the PIOP was located. No position signal required. That should prove to be a small issue IMO
https://vimeo.com/106949741
In this example the AR does not have to change her position once she flags. The IDFK is taken from where she raised the flag in the new Law not 20 yards back up towards the half way line as under the old law

Answer provided by Referee James Sowa

Peter,

Don't overthink the intent of this rule. The AR that would normally have called the player offside in this scenario will still call the player offside. The restart will be where the ball is touched by the player in the offside position. This will be administered by the referee. The 'location' currently given by the AR is information for the referee. Going forward, the referee will have to determine the location on his own in the rare instance it is in the other half of the field.