Question Number: 25953

Law 11 - Offside 2/7/2012

RE: Competitive Under 15

Larry of Danville, CA USA asks...

This question is a follow up to question 25934

I followed Keith's suggestion and resubmitted my question to Jim Allen, exactly as summitted to this panel and he stands by his original answer, which has been approved by the National Office. So Joe, while I personally agree with you, we are wrong. The flag goes up as soon as the defense gives chase to a player in an offside position going after a through ball,even if the ball is going to go out of bounds.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Larry
I would refer you to Page 106 Laws of the Game Example 5 Law 11. This clearly states and I quote
'' An attacker in an offside position (1) runs towards the ball and does not touch the ball. The assistant referee must signal "goal kick".
Also to see an animation of this I would refer you to slide 20 in this presentation.
http://www.fifa.com/lotg/football/en/flash/start.html
So in my opinion if the player in an offside position has simply ran to the ball but if he cannot interfere with play or interfere with an opponent then it cannot be offside if the ball goes out of play. I don't even see in what way a team has been offended against when the ball is clearly kicked out of play just by a PIOP moving towards the ball.
FIFA Circular 987 (2005) dealt with on field situations where the player in an offside position may be penalised before playing or touching the ball. The key words are 'before playing or touching' and it is patently obvious, as best the AR can determine, that a play or touch will happen in play by a PIOP then offside should be called. Indeed when it is so patently obvious the early flag is advisable. It also looks like a clear offside call rather than perhaps an afterthought or 'listening to the shout' for offside on a delayed flag.
If the player cannot interfere with play (play or touch the ball) as the ball has gone out /going out of play nor interfere with an opponent (preventing an opponent from playing or being able to play the ball) then it just cannot be offside.
So my advice to assistants is to wait and see what develops. If the ball is clearly going out of play it is not offside. If it is obvious, as best one can determine, that the lone player in an offside position will interfere with play or interfere with an opponent then an early flag for offside is appropriate before the need to interfere with play by touching the ball. If there is also a danger of collision then a flag for offside before that is likely to happen is essential so that play can be halted.
A recent question on USSF's Ask a Soccer referee site stated and I quote
"" ?The attacker is interfering with the opponents ? both by drawing the opponent into a competition for the ball and by actively challenging the opponent while both are racing for the ball. Our thoughts? Pop that flag upon the very first indication that the attacker was acting to distract or deceive the opponent while in an offside position.
However, if there is no interference, as in your first example of the goalkeeper far,far away and the attacker near the halfway line, let play develop until there is some sign of this interference. This also applies to the second scenario: If the player in the onside position is going for the ball and the player in the offside position is behind him, let it go until it is clear that the player in the offside position is interfering. ""

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

If you are referring to a question asked Jim Allen feb 10, 2012, Mr. Allen says nothing of the sort. And your question on Feb 12 said ball was going to keeper not out of play.

Here's briefly what JA says:

This response of 29 September 2009 should suffice:
"The attacker is interfering with the opponents ? both by drawing the opponent into a competition for the ball and by actively challenging the opponent while both are racing for the ball. Our thoughts? Pop that flag upon the very first indication that the attacker was acting to distract or deceive the opponent while in an offside position."

However, if there is no interference, as in your first example of the goalkeeper far,far away and the attacker near the halfway line, let play develop until there is some sign of this interference. This also applies to the second scenario: If the player in the onside position is going for the ball and the player in the offside position is behind him, let it go until it is clear that the player in the offside position is interfering.

His 2nd paragraph is all important and I still believe our answers are the same. Usually wait and see.