Question Number: 34873

Law 11 - Offside 2/11/2023

Petr of Prague, Czech Republic Czech Republic asks...

Hello,

one more situation, please.

The player returns to the field after treatment. When does the offside rule apply to him? Can it be off the field already? Perhaps immediately after permission to return?

Thanks!

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

HI Petr,
Players off the FOP for treatment require referee permission to reenter and depending on the circumstances must do so at certain locations or only once play has restarted. My thoughts, are the same as yours the moment they step into the field of play once given permission. Yet it could be a midline run down the boundary line type entry if they were to briefly run outside the FOP then cross over the touchline so here I lean to the moment the referee gave permission to reenter but as in any offside location only when the ball is last touched is the location/position evaluated!
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Petr
Offside consideration applies to that player the moment the player crosses the touchline. Until that movement on to the line happens the player is not part of play.
A referee should only beckon the player on to the field of play when play is not in the player's vicinity and it should only happen at a touchline.

My experience is that offside is rarely a factor in these situations and good mechanics should prevent a player getting involved immediately in an attacking position.

Answer provided by Referee Peter Grove

Hi Petr,
A player who has left the field with the referee's permission for treatment is not part of the offside consideration so yes, you only consider them for the purposes of offside once you have given them permission to return and they have entered the field of play.

The following questions were asked as a follow up to the above question...

See Question: 34882