Question Number: 31189

Law 11 - Offside 1/18/2017

RE: Amateur Adult

Rob of Scarborough, N Yorkshire England asks...

Should the recent Manchester United goal v Liverpool (15th Jan 2017) scored by Zlatan.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Rob
I assume you are referring to whether the lead up to the goal was offside or not. The decision rests on whether Valencia was nearer the goal line than the second last opponent.
From video replays it looks like Valencia, on the right wing, could have been in an offside position. It is not absolutely certain given that the Liverpool offside line is staggered with Lovren in the centre positioned behind all his team mates. Only one Liverpool player appeals for offside on the right wing and he is hopelessly positioned to see that. Liverpool fans will say offside while United fans say onside. It is that tight and not a blatantly incorrect non call.
The way play unfolded the AR got out of position which placed him 3/4 yards ahead of the Liverpool offside line and therefore poorly placed to make a tight call. Even if the AR was level with Lovren would Valencia have obscured the ARs view to make the call?
What I will say is that it is a tight call without technology and on the field of play it is a very difficult to get 100% correct. Relying on offside to defend can be risky which this proved to be. I would also say that if VAR (Video Assistant Referee) technology was used could a VAR definitely say offside here based on the camera angle of view. I am not so sure.