Question Number: 24594

Law 11 - Offside 2/18/2011

John of Gaithersburg, MD USA asks...

This question is a follow up to question 24587

What if the situation was that the ball WAS being played to a player who was not in an offside position, but is deflected by a defender in such a way as to land at the feet of a player was in an offside position? I'm guessing he is then guilty of being offside?

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

Unless the player in an offside position interferes with a defendant's ability to see or play the ball, the player is not guilty of an offside infringement unless that player actually touches the ball. Assistant referees are asked to wait and see.

So, in your situation, the player who never actually touched the ball (and assuming the player did not interfere with the defender's ability to see or play the ball) is not offside. The player who was in onside position is eligible to play the ball that was deflected off the defender. Count it if a goal is scored. The flag should stay down.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi John
The intent of the pass makes no difference or whether it was deliberate or not. If a player in an offside receives the ball from a deflection/rebound off an opponent on a touch of the ball from a team mate that must be called offside when the PIOP touches the ball or interferes with an opponent.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Hi Coach. Doesn't matter where the ball was intended to go. A player in an offside position when the ball is played or touched by a teammate cannot become actively involved in play until offside resets. Period. Teammate can play the ball anywhere on the field and if it is deflected by an opponent, i.e. no control, the offside player may not touch it or he will be penalized for an offside offense.