Question Number: 30917

Law 11 - Offside 10/18/2016

RE: competitive Adult

Jacob Mungoma of Malindi, Malindi asks...

According to my understanding an offside offence is taken from where it occurred or otherwise where the OPP was before getting involved into active play. That is how I judge it. I have always taken this as the INT of Law 11-4 sentence one; If an offside offence occurs, the referee awards an indirect free kick where the offence occurred, including if it is in the players own half of the field of play.
Am I right? The last part of this sentence seems rather confusing; I.e .....including if it is in the player's own half ..... seems as if the kick can be awarded on the offender's own half of the field of play! I have not seen it however! What's your take?

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Jacob,
the new rewrite of the LOTG have altered the restart location to WHERE the OPP (offside positioned player) actually GETS involved. It is no longer where he was when the OPP position was 1st determined. Yes I know a restart in your own half for offside is NOW possible.
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Jacob
The new Laws of the Game now requires that the IDFK for offside is taken from where the offence is completed for instance where the ball is touched by the player in an offside position. That for the first time includes touching the ball in a players own half. The IDFK is now taken in that position in the palyers own half NOT the offside position the player was in when the ball was last touched / played by a team mate.

The following questions were asked as a follow up to the above question...

See Question: 30926