Question Number: 30693

Law 11 - Offside 8/28/2016

RE: Rec Adult

russell of Sydney, Australia asks...

With regard to the offside laws, can the panel please help me to understand why the Real Madrid goal scored by Morata in the recent match against Celta Vigo was not called for offside.

Morata has come from an offside position as the last player to touch the ball is his teammate. While he does not appear to touch the ball, he clearly makes a play for the ball in enough of a way that the commentators are debating if Morata fouled the defender, before it ran through to the other Real attacker.

What part am I missing or not understanding with regard to offside.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Russell
Good spot. This should have been called offside. Morata clearly challenges an opponent coming from an offside position which is interfering with an opponent. I suspect an error by the AR was due to the speed and movement of the players involved in the play. There is a lot going on here before and after the touch by the Real Madrid player towards Morata. You will note that there was no appeal by Celta Vigo players for offside. Another reason for the miss by the AR is the movement of players into his line of view to Morata. Perhaps as the AR did not see any ball direction change he assumed that Morata did not interfere. One of the difficulties facing ARs can be depth perception and angle of view. The AR gets a split second view of this from side on and with uncertainty with no appeal he may believe that there was no interference by Morata. I suspect a loss of marks in the ARs assessment.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=7zoXtI1IB_A&t=5m5s

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Russell,
well done, just do not get a swelled head from knowing you got it right and the match crew did not. You can pat yourself gently on the back for understanding and spreading the correct interpretation of offside ! In this you are one of us as sharing knowledge with others is always the primary goal!
Cheers

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