Question Number: 24168

Law 11 - Offside 10/16/2010

RE: Other

Larry of Danville, CA USA asks...

I am a little confused when to call offside and could use some clarification. Based on your answers to this question you all seem to be clear to keep the flag down until the PIOP is actually involved in play. USSF web page Ask a Soccer Referee answered this question on November 9, 2009 with a similar response 'Offside should be called only when the player in the offside position becomes involved in play through interfering with play, interfering with an opponent, or gaining an advantage by being in the offside position. The reason why some ARs flag early and some referees call for offside early is because they pay no attention to the Laws of the Game or to the instructional materials distributed by the U. S. Soccer Federation and so carefully and fully enunciated and disseminated by their state directors of referee instruction.'

I am confused by The Interpretation of the Laws of the Game, page 103 #4, that states 'A player in an offside position may be penalized before playing or touching the ball, if, in the opinion of the referee, no other team-mate in an onside position has the opportunity to play the ball.' I understand that the flag should stay down if another OSP might end up playing the ball, but this still seems contradictory to your and USSF's answers. Are the Interpretations of the Laws of the Game not entirely applicable in the US?

Here's a scenario: A long ball down the side of the field (away from the keeper so a collision is not a concern) and a PIOSP takes off after the ball, with the defenders giving chase (not being interfered with by the PIOSP, but likely raising their hands). The PIOSP will clearly reach the ball before anyone else, but with coaches and parents all yelling offside he might decide to pull up. Should we raise the flag as soon as he takes off and it becomes clear to us that he will be the one to reach the ball first if he continues, or run with the ball, wait for actual contact to raise the flag, then run back to the spot where he was when the ball was played?

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

The USSF interpretation is very clear. No flag unless or until the player becomes involved. The FIFA interpretation can be read the same way - note it says 'may be penalized', although referees outside of the US have a bit more flexibility here.

The purpose is to promote attacking soccer and to follow the Laws, and if we flag for a player who is simply in an offside position, which is what you have above, Law 11 is clear that being in an offside position is not an offense. So, unless and until this player does something to involve herself, no flag is possible, shouts of the fans, defenders and coaches aside.

Consider: if the player in an OSP keeps running but stops short of playing the ball, he has done nothing punishable in the Law, assuming he has not interfered with an opponent. We should not be too quick to use this or to twist it to make our decisions popular. If, during his run, teammates who are onside have had a chance to make a run for the ball and catch up, so be it as long as the PIOP has not interfered. Arguing that by running down there, thus allowing teammates to make a run as well, thus it is interfering is specious. If one takes that PIOP off the field, you have a loose ball that is anyone's.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Larry
There is a slight difference of opinion between the US and the rest of the world on the implementation of this.
For instance in the UK Premier League the requirement for the touch is less onerous than it is I believe in the US. I see many 'early' flags for the lone offside positioned striker pursuing the ball and the flag is raised on the basis that he will more than likely touch the ball. In the US USSF advice is to wait until the ball is touched.
Where we are all agreed is that if there is are two players running for the ball with one player not in an offside position then the AR should 'wait and see' before calling offside.
What I certainly believe though is that, wherever the game is played, the refereeing crew should be certain of the instructions from the center referee on offside in these situations. It is not helpful to the game if the AR raises the flag and the CR waves it down to allow play to continue with perhaps it having to be raised again.
My own opinion is that common sense should prevail and rather than being slavish to the touch requirement that the flag should be raised when there is every chance that the ball will be touched by the PIOP.

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

The FIFA instruction 'may be penalized' doesn't mean that the call is made based on mere movement, but rather that in all likelihood the player will soon become involved in play. USSF's interpretation is more restrictive, as they say that you can't tell if the player will become involved until he actually does become involved (by touching the ball). I try to reach a happy medium between the two. If that's the only attacker going for the ball, why should we make him and everyone else run 40 yards until the ball is touched?

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

See Question: 24195