Question Number: 23467

Law 11 - Offside 6/13/2010

RE: Pro Professional

Greg of Dallas, Tx USA asks...

This is about the England vs USA game for those of you that watched. There was a ball played through which Wayne Rooney ran on to. He was clearly not in an offside position. However, I believe it was Heskey in the center circle, who was in an offside position. The flag was raised and a clear goal scoring chance was taken away from Rooney.

Of course, law 11 says if, in the opinion of the referee. However, Heskey clearly gained no advantage and didn't interfere with play. So the only condition left is interfere with an opponent. I believe this is debatable. In the opinion of myself, there was no interference. Heskey was at least 10 yards from the ball and did not even make a move towards it.

In the opinion of my friend, it may not have been physical interference but his positioning caused the defender to make a decision about who to cover.

As I recall, the law used to be worded somewhat similar to this but has since changed. I feel the call really could have gone either way but, as I said, in my opinion, an offside infraction should not have been called. I would just like opinions of other referees who happened to see the game. Thanks!

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

This may have been an error by the assistant referee.

The question for the referee was whether Heskey did something that affected an opponent's ability to see or play the ball so that he could be found to infringe law 11 for interfering with an opponent. The notion that his mere presence 'affected' the opponent is not correct IMO. Law 11 itself reminds that it is not an offense to be in an offside position. It requires more.

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

I wondered the same thing during the game, but the camera angle was not helpful to let us know exactly what the AR saw. He was spot on for everything else, so I would extend the benefit of the doubt.

The players at that level are moving at incredible speed. The AR's job is a thankless and very difficult one anytime, and particularly so at these levels.

Unless Heskey interfered with an opponent, it is very hard to figure out how he might have been called for offside. As Ref Wickham notes, it is not an offense (at least it isn't supposed to be) to be in an offside position. We need the position + involvement before we can even think about raising the flag.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Didn't see it. Was Rooney really not in offside position? I don't know. What I have watched of the World Cup the refereeing has been excellent and the play spirited.

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

I have noticed that the AR's have a very short wait-and-see time. It's not quite the if-you-twitch-you're-off mechanism of old, but they certainly aren't waiting for a touch.

Perhaps the AR - who I agree have generally been excellent - saw something that the camera did not.

The following questions were asked as a follow up to the above question...

See Question: 23483