Question Number: 16423

Law 11 - Offside 8/25/2007

RE: Competitive Under 16

Kevin Kribbet of Clearwater, FL USA asks...

A player is clearly offside, in the box, well behind the fullback, as the ball is sent in from near midfield. While in the air, it glances off the fullback (whom never gains possession, or control of it) and lands on the foot of the offside player. He responds by tapping it in. The linesman's flag is up indicating the player is offside. The center ref over rules, and states "Because of the deflection the player now onside"? Which is right, because I thought that since the off sides occurred first, the play should've resulted in a goal kick... In order for the off sides player to be back on, the fullback would've had to have possession, and then lose it. Please help clarify!!!

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Kevin,
the sad part of this incident is it so clearly understates the fact this and far too many other referes simply do not read the literature available!
Within the LAWS of the Game on law 11 offside and the subsequent national and FIFA postion papers clearly imply that a DEFLECTION of the ball off a player does NOT reset offside restrictions for the opposing team if they last played the ball prior to the deflection.

The AR was 100% correct the referee 100% wrong.

You are also correct that control and posession of the ball is required by that defending player to reset offside restrctions for the opposition.

If the offside was realized as it should have been, it is an INDFK out from where the offside player was at the time of his team mate's KICK, not the deflection. Any INDFK inside the 6 yard goal area in favour of the defending team can occur anywhere within the goal area but the ball must still travel outside the penalty area to be in play and all defenders must be outside the penalty area as well.
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

Absolutely correct Kevin, well done sir. Except in this case where the referee, even though incorrect, had a different opinion. At that point coaches tighten their seat belts and bite their tongues. Assessors note the time and write "incorrect offside decision cost a goal".

This referee will find himself having to pay for two more assessments because this is a match altering incorrect decision.

By the way coach, you got the restart wrong -- should be indirect for offside.

Regards,

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Well Coach if what you say occurred, no offside but the restart should NOT have been a goal kick. The offside player touched the ball. He's guilty of an offside offense. Restart with an Indirect Free Kick from the spot where he touched the ball unless inside the goal area in which case it comes out the 6