Question Number: 35856

Law 11 - Offside 1/6/2025

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

Hello

one more question, maybe a bit strange please.

Does hair count as part of the head for offside purposes? For example, for a player like Fellaini.

Until now, I was sure that hair was part of the head. :-)

However, semiautomated-offside technology makes 3D models without hair and apparently doesn't even focus on them.

Thank you very much!

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Petr
Thanks for the question.
As hair does not play the ball the freeze frame will focus on any head touch to determine offside.

As you know Law 11 states that the first point of contact of the ‘play’ or ‘touch’ of the ball should be used.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

HI Petr,
lol you have the greatest ability to find the HMMM.... "I did not really think of that?" questions lol

There are occasions where head gear is worn over the head & hair & that headgear is the contact point. I have dealt with a few headgear style issues and wondered, as you did, what would a decision be if the HAIR itself factored into the outcome.
Not just on offside either!

Your Fellaini example is quite exceptional?
The ball could almost land there and stay without balancing it lol You have a point if he was toe to toe/nose to nose with a defender and that bush of his was PLAINLY closer on a lean in given offside by VAR is adjudged in millimeters? Could he be deemed a PIOP and as such deemed as ineligible to participate? In cases where religious gear is worn I would count it as part of the head. I doubt at grass roots foot if we we are able to determine if hair alone is the focal point . At the elite level it seems they are pretty fussy on a toe nail so why not a hair mop expanse well above average?

I have seen both men and ladies in dreads, pigtails and buns all deemed occasionally, in my opinion, as unsafe with barrettes and beads. The old ponytails longer ones tucked down in the back of the jersey neck.

I actually saw the one girl whip her braids into the face of another! Given their heads were a foot apart, I wondered later, if she did that on a ball destined for goal would that not count as a touch? If she was a PIOP, no goal! lol
Cheers

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See Question: 35857