Question Number: 30745

Law 11 - Offside 9/10/2016

RE: Intermediate Under 14

Phil of Tarzana, CA United States asks...

This question is a follow up to question 30736

Thank you both for the explanation. Just so I fully understand though, at some point the PIOP could be so far from the ball that you might not consider it a challenge, right? e.g. if Morata was 10 yards from the ball & impeded an opponent (who was also 10 yards away) while attempting to get the ball & neither had a chance to get the ball, would you still call offside?

Because in reading the other parts of offside:
¢ clearly attempting to play a ball which is close to him when this action impacts on an opponent or
¢ making an obvious action which clearly impacts on the ability of an opponent to play the ball seem to indicate a shift toward not penalizing a PIOP, unless he affects the play.
Thanks you again for all the advice.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Phil
The referee has to question the actions of the PIOP and impeding an opponent away from the ball. Why has that action taken place? That in itself can be an offence and with contact is a direct free kick. So the referee has to decide the impact on the game and if it is trifling or doubtful. The referee will also have to take into account the impact on subsequent play so perhaps on a shot taken 10 yards away with no impact through the contact might be ignored as trifling or doubtful. It can in some circumstances effect the game. So while it would not be called as offside it can be called for a Law 12 offence.