Question Number: 32303

Law 11 - Offside 3/13/2018

RE: Pro Adult

AEK Fan Club of NY of New York, New York USA asks...

Please let me know the following:
The referee did not call an offside for the team in white and black.
Is it? (link below, goal scored. Referee counted it)

On the other hand, the team in white and black is asking for a penalty in the same occasion, which they claim was not given, as the goal was scored.
Was there any penalty?https://youtu.be/G7T26ZuqQ7c?t=2m10s

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

The referee appears to be looking directly at the defender pulling down the attacker at 2:12 from 7 yards away. I saw NO indication of advantage, no indication of waving the downed player up as in a dive & no indication he was thinking it was a foul. I could not be sure he was pulled down or leaned back but at 7 yards the match referee decision was no foul.
The goal was scored 6 seconds later 2:18. In the follow up lob into the PA the freeze frame at 3:03 3:05 proves the goal scorer was slightly offside positioned on the through ball . No goal. It was a case of the AR on the move up the touchline, then a quick reversal, players moving in opposing directions with the ball going faster then them all where a PIOP catches a lucky break in the flag stayed down simply because the AR was unsure he was offside. The likelihood of the VAR video review at the WC will eliminate these type of goals is quite likely
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi
From the video shown and with the benefit of freeze frame it is clear that it is offside and the goal should not have stood.
This type of offside can be difficult for assistants with defenders moving out, attackers staying in etc and lots of movement to consider plus determining the exact moment the ball is delivered from distance. I can assure you that it is a very difficult call to determine positions at the exact moment of delivery with players positioned over a wide angle of view including the kicker. It looks like at one moment that the scorer got back level with the last defender yet that was a split second after the ball had been kicked into the penalty area.
As regards a penalty award I did not see that in the contact between the players in the build up. The referee is well placed to make a call and sees nothing untoward and he has a good view of the incident as he is close to it.
Now these are the types of decision that VAR try to deal with. On review there is every likelihood that the goal wiould be disallowed for offside. However from the trials at the moment it is clear that VAR is not working as intended. In a recent game that I watched every decision involving a goal was reviewed with obvious delay and frustration. One could even consider a trip foul here on a defender after the no foul decision just inside the penalty area? There is certainly a question mark there and video review could easily call that as well even if there was no offside.
I have been a supporter of technology yet we appear to be moving to refereeing by video which is not good for the game.