Question Number: 25632

Law 11 - Offside 10/19/2011

RE: Intermediate Under 12

Phil of Tarzana, CA United States asks...

This question is a follow up to question 25609

I'd like to change the facts slightly to see if I understand what would be called.

Suppose Defender didn't handle the ball, but ran after the ball, while the PIOP stands there. Suppose further that by standing there, PIOP prevents the Defender from getting to the ball, so the Defender pushes PIOP out of the way.

If Defender hadn't pushed the PIOP, we would have an offside infringement for interference, because the Defender was blocked from moving toward the ball. But because the push is more serious, which do you call?

Do you call the offside because it occurred first & give an IFK to the defenders, but give a caution to the defender who committed the foul?

Or do you award a free kick (or penalty if in the box) to the attackers?

Thanks in advance,
Phil

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Phil
The player in an offside position has interfered with an opponent and offside must be called. The defender if he pushes the PIOP in this situation does so after the offside offence so the pushing offence cannot be called. The defender though can still be cautioned if the push is reckless but the caution does not change the restart.
The more serious offence is only punished when two offences are committed at the same time by a player/team. In all other cases the 1st offence is the only offence that can be punished.

Answer provided by Referee Gene Nagy

Phil, it is important to be aware what sequence the infringements occur. If a player is in an offside position (PIOP) and becomes active, then an offside infringement occurred. You are quite correct in suggesting that the defenders get an IFK. So you stop the game for offside and whatever happens after cannot change the restart. Now if you have to deal with disciplinary problems, that's OK too but there will be no PK or direct free kick because the game was stopped for offside.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

The PIOP has interfered with an opponent so offside must be called and an IDFK awarded the opponents. However, this does not give the opposing player the right to push the PIOP out of his way. This would be misconduct that would be dealt with but the restart does not change.