Question Number: 17007

Law 11 - Offside 10/1/2007

RE: Select Under 13

Tom Jaskiewicz of Bay City, MI USA asks...

This question is a follow up to question 16899

Direct Free Kick 8 yards out from the 18. Wall at 18 - 2 offensive players one step behind wall. [16899] Ball kick over goalies head into the goal, A/R and center ref both say offside. When ask for clarification he said because they were in the box between the posts he called it. Was this the correct call? Restart was correct. I am also a certified referee and would not have called offside. What is the correct call?

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

First off, the wall is 2 yards too close, but that's not what you were asking.

If the referee felt that the players in an offside position were interfering with the goalkeeper by being in his line of vision to the ball, the call is correct. USSF put out a memo on this last year, or maybe it was the year before, based on an incident in a professional game. The USSF's opinion was that there was no reason for a player to line up in an offside position at a free kick, between the ball and the goalkeeper, except to be interfering.

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

The referee's opinion regarding this offside decision was there was an infraction. The whistle blew stopping play. An indirect free kick was awarded to the defenders. So be it. If your opinion regarding what constitutes interference with opponents is not the same as US Soccer's they adjust. If your opinion was the players could not have interfered with play or an opponent in this particular case AND you are the match referee then you are correct.

Regards,

Answer provided by Referee Ben Mueller

If the players in the offside position interfered with play, then it was. If the offside positioned players obstructed the view of the keeper then its the correct call.