Question Number: 17408

Law 11 - Offside 10/20/2007

RE: Collage, High Scool Adult

Joe Young of Riverside, California USA asks...

attacking team passes to a team meamber at the top of the six yard box in an off side position. The AR lifts the flag. Before the whistle a defender heads the ball into his own goal. Question: Goal or no Goal?

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

The question one has to ask here is when did the referee make the offside decision? It doesn't matter when he announces it with the whistle, it matters when he made it in his mind. If that was at a point before the defender headed it into the goal, then there is no goal, restart is indirect free kick out for the offside infraction. At any rate, he should definitely check with the AR to be certain his timing sequence is correct. The AR will/should know which came first, and that's where the referee should also go.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Joe,
as we know being in an offside position is not a reason to flag. If the AR raised the flag then the AR considered the offside positioned player as involved and thus an offside infringment has occurred with an INDFK out required . The referee could choose to see it different but the AR's primary duty is this responsibility and as a referee we go with their decisions 99%.9 of the time when we trust them. Slightly less when training or mentoring to adjust incorrect thinking but always thumbs up for the efforts.

While the whistle is an obvious signal to stop play it takes a moment or so to decide or see the flag and react accordingly plus the AR flag might be raised ahead and not viewed immediately by the referee. poor positioning late flag etc..

The goal will not count if the AR communicates to the referee and he AGREES there was an offside infrigngment ahead of that goal as law 10 will not permit the goal to stand in such cases.

It is possible the referee will claim the offside player was not involved contrary to the ARs opinion and as such allow the goal to stand.

It is crucial all players play the whistle not the flag. The flag is an ARs opinion and as correct or valid as that might be it is not a stoppage in play until signaled by the referee.
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

One must also ask if the player in offside position actually committed an offside offence if the ball was intercepted by the opponent and played with no interference from the player in offside position which is what you seem to suggest.