Question Number: 24546

Law 11 - Offside 2/1/2011

RE: Professional Professional

Mike Watson of Norfolk, VA USA asks...

I have a question about an offside/not offside incident that occurred in the 2/1/11 match between Arsenal and Everton. The attacking (blue) player was in an offside position when the ball was last played by his teammate. However, the defending (red) player attempted and miscued a clearance, allowing the player in an offside position to gain possession and score. Should the goal have been disallowed for offside, and if so, for what rulebook reason? I am including a link to a film of the questionable goal.

http://arsenalist.com/video/?id=xgujyz

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Without looking at the video; if the red player controlled the ball, even if he misdirected it, the offside positioned player may now play the ball.

After watching the video it was clear the AR thought the Red player played the ball. That is to say, it was not a mere deflection, so there was no offside.

Law 11 tells us offside only occurs when the ball is played by a teammate. Here the AR ruled the ball was played by an opponent. Hence, there can be no offside by definition

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi MIke
It all depends on the AR's view of the incident and whether he believed the Red defender played the ball in a controlled way.
In my opinion this was offside as the Red defender did not have control of the ball and IMO it was a deflection/rebound. Certainly at grass roots this would be offside.
One could agrue that at the highest skill level that less concessions are given in situations like these. The ball was clearly played away from Saha and the Arsenal defender then kicked it back to him. Had he left the ball it would have been cleared easily.

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

One can only assume that at that level of expert play, the AR decided the defender's play on the ball was a controlled effort, even though it didn't do what he wanted it to do. Since it is not an offense to be in an offside position, and since the ball was last played by a defender, no offside should be called.

Now, at a less skilled level, one could clearly decide the defender had no control of the ball, and thus it is a miskick or deflection. Therefore, it is as if the defender isn't there, and offside is the proper decision.