Question Number: 31750

Law 11 - Offside 9/2/2017

RE: Adult

Jorge of Valencia, Spain asks...

Hi,
I have a question related to the offside. If a player is right on the halfway line (but not over) when a teammate passes him the ball, the ref should call offside?
Thank you.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Jorge
The answer is no. The half way line is interesting in that it is part of both halves and neutral from an offside perspective. So a player is only in an offside position if he has part of his body over the white line on the green part of the opponents half. If he is not over the line or on the line then he is in his own half and is in an onside position.

Answer provided by Referee Peter Grove

Hi Jorge,
This is the subject of a Q&A on the IFAB website which goes as follows:

''Q1: Can a player on the halfway line be offside?
NO – the halfway line is 'neutral' for offside – a player has to be in the opponents' half to be in an offside position.''

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

HI Jorge ,
as long a you understand that the 5 inch midline if his feet are on it they STILL cannot be INSIDE the other half nor can he be leaning over it leading with his head . ANY playable body part can not be BEYOND that 5 inch white strip.
Cheers