Question Number: 24024

Law 11 - Offside 9/26/2010

RE: Rec Under 19

Mark of Palos Verdes, CA USA asks...

This question is a follow up to question 23906

A player in an offside position (PIOP) makes no attempt to play a hard shot ball kicked by his teammate that is on its way in to the corner of the goal. However, the ball glances off the back of the PIOP and is ever so slightly deflected, but continues in to the back of the net. If the PIOP had not been touched by the ball, the ball would have gone straight in to the corner of the goal.

Let's assume that the PIOP was far enough away from the goalkeeper and did nothing to interfere with any opponents.

Since the player came in to contact with the ball, must we automatically sanction this PIOP for 'interfering with play'?

In other words, must the player 'play the ball' to be considered 'interfering with play' as opposed to being 'played by the ball'?

Or, can we use the teaching scenario for 'interfering with an opponent' and ask the question, 'if this player were removed from the field by the hand of god, would it have made any difference?'. Since it would have made no difference in the trajectory of the ball, the PIOP is not sanctioned for offside.

I would appreciate your thoughts on this.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Mark
From what you describe this is offside and it is '' interfering with play".
It makes no difference whether it was a deliberate play or not. Once the PIOP touches the ball it is offside.

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

If there is contact with the ball and the PIOP, it is involvement in play. It does not have to be a deliberate play; the Interpretation and Guidance section says 'playing or touching'. The ball could strike the PIOP while she was totally unaware, and it would still be offside.

If the touch was from the teammate's play, it would be interfering with play. If after a rebound/deflection from an opponent or the goal, it would be gaining an advantage.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

Offside. It does not matter that the PIOP didn't intend to touch the ball. It did touch her, and that constitutes involvement in play.

Note: if the referee is unsure whether it touched her, such doubts would be resolved in favor of NOT offside.