Question Number: 31817

Law 11 - Offside 9/24/2017

RE: Adult

Nkuna H of Polokwane, RSA asks...

Can player of team A in front of goal be flagged offside if there's a player/ defender of team B behind the goalkeeper of the very same team B?

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Nkuna,
the keeper is but one of 11 players when it comes to offside he is OFTEN the furthest back by nature of his position but obviously his team mates can take over that position in behind him

The position of an attacker to NOT be offside requires TWO opponents closer or even to the opposing goal line or the attacker is behind the ball itself when his own team mate plays it

The fact the keeper is not the last opponent has no real bearing on the decision . If he is the 2nd last opponent then he becomes relevant!
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Nkuna
When there are two opponents between the player and the goal line the player is in an onside position. However the player may have run from on offside position into an onside position to play the ball. It is the position at the moment of the play by a team mate that counts not where the player actually plays the ball.

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

I agree with my colleagues, Law 11 only mentions 2 opponents. It doesn't mention what position they are playing. In fact, sometimes the goalkeeper isn't involved in the offside equation at all. (And let me tell you, for assistant referee it gets really interesting when that happens!)

Don't forget that beside the 2 opponents closer to the goal line, the ball also sets where offside applies. If the player is behind the ball at the last touch by a teammate, there is no offside, regardless of the number of opponents.