Question Number: 27333

Law 11 - Offside 4/21/2013

RE: competitive Under 19

Graeme Ead of CRAWLEY, uk asks...

if a player is down injured near his own goal can an attacking player be deemed offside if the only player preventing him being deemed offside is the injured player.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Graeme
The assistant referee or referee will taken into account all players that are on the field of play or who should be on the field of play in determining offside. That includes injured player lying on the ground. So a player on the ground can play an opponent onside.
That might seem harsh but it is to prevent players from lying down 'injured' to place opponents in an offside position.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

An injured defender on the field is always considered for purpose of offside position.

An injured defender temporarily off the field is considered, for purpose of offside position, as if still located at the spot the defender exited.

An injured defender who is off the field for treatment (and who cannot return until given permission by the referee) is not considered for purpose of offside position.