Question Number: 17943

Law 11 - Offside 11/18/2007

RE: Under 13

allan sharp of gt yarmouth, norfolk uk asks...

hi can you please clear this up for me in a football match when a offside is close when do you call it offside IE: when there is daylight between the players or will an arm or a leg hope this is clear enough for your answer many thanks allan

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

Right Allen, since 1991 television commentators have been saying there must be daylight showing between an attacker and his marking defender for the attacker to be nearer the goal line than the defender. Three years ago the International FA Board approved two decisions to Law 11 - Offside one defined offside position. That Decision says this:

In the definition of offside position. ""nearer to his opponents' goal line" means that any part of his head, body or feet is nearer to his opponents' goal line than both the ball and the second last opponent. The arms are not included in this definition."

So what the assistant referee looks for is any part of the attacker that can score a goal nearer than the last but one opponent. One millimeter nearer is sufficient to establish offside position. Further, should the assistant referee have some doubt as to whether or not there is an offside position he is to lean toward not offside position as his decision. This doubt allows more attacking play. It also gives television commentators something to talk about and we all know they seem to be paid by the number of words they use rather than what they say correctly.

Regards,

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

Offside position can be as little as one toe past the center line, the ball and the 2nd to last opponent.

We have been instructed to give the benefit of doubt to the attacking team. That means if it is so close you can't tell, keep the flag down. If the offside position is clearly visible to the AR, even if it is close, then the call should be made when the player becomes involved in play.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Of course you are only talking about offside POSITION> It is NOT an offence to be in offside position. WIthout active involvement there can be no offside offence