Question Number: 23493

Law 11 - Offside 6/17/2010

RE: Adult

Farsi Mahdi of Tehran, Iran asks...

I think first goal of Mexico in match versus France was offside. Wasn't it?

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

The angle of the camera certainly made it look so, but there is every chance that the ball was kicked just before or just as the forward reached the offside line. It was very hard to tell when the ball left the foot of the kicker and where the forward was at that precise moment. I'd have to give the benefit of the doubt to the AR. He was in position.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Referee Mahdi
If the Mexican player was ahead of the last French defender when the ball was played through by his team mate that would indeed be offside. That is the judgement call the AR has to make. Perhaps if defenders had to act as an AR in a game they might not be so eager to play such tight offside ploys as the timing here is so very difficult at speed. Always remember that the AR does not have the benefit of freeze frame, action replay to make up his/her mind.