Question Number: 23363

Law 11 - Offside 5/24/2010

RE: Competive Under 17

Nani of Manchester, nh usa asks...

Question on the Offside law, as this interpretation has change back and forth over the last couple of seasons and I would like clarification.

Coaching this weekend, we were awarded a direct kick in the waning minutes of the first 1/2, in the middle of the pitch at around the 30 yard mark. The wall was set back the prerequisite 10 yards, and we drove the ball on the net and the keeper made an impressive diving save with the ball leaving the field over the goal line. However, the AR on the coaches side raised the flag for offside - apparently one of my players was in an offside position (probably 5 yards) when the kick was delivered.

Is this the correct interpretation? I argue that my player was not part of the play as it was a shot and no rebound " I believe the play should have continued with a Corner kick.

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

From your description it sounds as though the offside-positioned player did not interfere with play.

Is it possible that he interfered with an opponent? Perhaps blocking the sight line of the goalkeeper to the kick?

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Offside interpretation in one sense has not changed at all the last 15 years. It is NOT an offense to merely be in an offside position and an offside offense involves both position and involvement in play. Since the ball did not rebound to your offside player, and he didn't touch it, the only possible explanation as to the call was that he somehow interfered with an opponent. Is there any way he could have blocked the keeper's line of sight? That's the only conceivable explanation.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

On a free kick, a player in offside position (PIOP) who does not touch the ball can still infringe the offside law by interfering with an opponent's ability to see or play the ball. Unless the assistant referee's opinion is that the PIOP screened the keeper, interfering with to keeper's ability to see the shot or or hindered the keeper's movements, interfering with the keeper's ability to play the ball (both of which seems unlikely since the keeper made the save), the flag should stay down.

The PIOP must do something that the referee judges to interfere with an opponent. Being in an offside position is not enough. The referee may not assume that mere presence of the PIOP somehow distracted the keeper.