Question Number: 15740

Law 11 - Offside 6/10/2007

RE: Competitive Under 13

John of Boston, Massachusetts USA asks...

In a recent game I had an interesting offside decision to make. Attacker A1 plays the ball toward A2 who is in an offside position. However, defender D1 slides to block the pass and deflects the ball into his own goal. Attacker A2 was never within playing distance of the ball, nor had a chance to make a play on the ball. Should the goal count, or should A2 be penalized for interfering with play while being in an offside position?

I allowed the goal to stand, but still feel funny about it. Had A2 not been there, I feel D1 would not have stabbed at the ball and scored against himself. I think I got it right, but wanted a second opinion.

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

What you should look for on one of these: mentally remove the offside player from the world; would his not being there have altered things. If so give offside, if not play continues -- award the goal. Think own goal and restart kickoff.

Regards,

Answer provided by Referee Ben Mueller

Probably a great call on your part. Only thing would be if he interfered with an opponent from moving (impeding) or by blocking opponents vision.

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

There are 3 ways A2 could become involved in play. He could gain an advantage, but that has been narrowly defined to recovering a ball after a rebound, so that didn't happen. He could participate himself - that didn't happen because the defender got to the ball first.

Or he could interfere with an opponent. If you decided to call offside against him, that would be the reason. Only the referee there at the game could see if A2's offside position had an effect on D1. The key would be when you said, "Had A2 not been there, I feel D1 would not have stabbed at the ball and scored against himself." If you thought the presence of A2 caused D1 to play as he did, then offside should have been called. That is an exceedingly rare situation, and in my opinion should only be used if the offside-positioned attacker actually makes some movement. Remember that mere presence on the field should not be considered a distraction to the defenders.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

John: you yourself state the player in offside position did absolutely nothing other than stand there. What's the first sentence in Law 11?