Question Number: 32872

Law 11 - Offside 11/11/2018

RE: Rec Adult

russell of Sydney, Australia asks...

A few VARious offside moments (did you see the PUN?).

Offside No.1?

Did Bamba of Cardiff come from an offside position in the lead up to the dramatic late winner over Brighton?
Possibly did, but a tough one for the AR to see as other players may have been in his line of sight.

https://www.yoursoccerdose.com/2018/11/10/cardiff-city-vs-brighton-hove-albion-highlights/

Offside No.2
Speaking of 'line of sight', it would seem that was the call in a disallowed Southhampton goal.

Obviously there was communication between the
CR and the AR. Unfortunately none of the highlights I have seen show the mechanic's of the discussion, meaning, did the AR simply make the call and advised the CR 'it was offside due to line of sight', or, did he stand still and signal the CR to have a discussion whereby the CR subsequently went with the AR call.

https://www.yoursoccerdose.com/2018/11/10/southampton-vs-watford-highlights/

Offside No.3
Great awareness by the near side AR in the Dortmund v Bayern match, to not call an offside in the lead up to Bayern's second goal (with a defender having run off the FOP play as part of play).

https://www.yoursoccerdose.com/2018/11/10/borussia-dortmund-vs-bayern-munchen-highlights/

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Russell
At the outset let me say that no official can compete with technology. It was for that reason that VAR was introduced and if teams want want decisions scrutinized then allow the introduction of VAR
1. On the first header on from the throw in Bamba comes from an offside position yet the ball was headed by a Green defender so it could not be offside. That was a good call by the AR. On the second header it is just too tight a call on Bambas position so IMO the correct decision was made in the absence of VAR
2. Not sure what the communication was yet all that matters was that the goal was disallowed. Side on view of this could look like line of sight interference or even a touch as the PIOP moves his head away from the ball. If VAR was available it was an easy decision of no offside. Without it the AR has one go from a side on position. The CR is not positioned great here either as he could not see the line of sight flight of the ball.
BTW the CR also missed a penalty call which Brighton chose to ignore in the post match interviews instead focusing on one decision. Again poor movement got the referee into a poor position to view the challenge. His only view of this was from the back of the two players through a group of player . If he had been wider and deeper he would have seen it better IMO.
3. Yes good work by the AR who correctly interpreted that the defender behind the goal line was playing everyone onside given the position of the goalkeeper.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

HI Russell,
If VAR was in use Bamba's back foot was indeed closer to the goal line at the moment the ball left the head of his team mate. It is certainly close and the other PIOP who was offside likely blocked the AR view. Certainly close enough in real time.

Again Var in the 2nd incident could have confirmed the goal as good!
The missed Pk though was pretty blatant or so I thought! A Var review might have made that a reality.

AR was easily aware of the opponent off the FOP!

Cheers