Question Number: 27839

Law 11 - Offside 10/1/2013

RE: Adult

Mark Dixon of dallas, tx usa asks...

Offside question.
Scenario....Attacking player A passes ball to attacking player B, who is in an offside position in the box. The last defender is between A and B. To prevent the ball from getting to player B for an easy goal, defender reaches out and re-directs ball with his hand. Is it a hand-ball? Or, since player B could be considered as being involved in the play, and trying to gain an advantage, would the referee call offside?

Thanks

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Mark
Prior to 2005, the referee would have had more discretion on the decison. The referee could call the offside and award the indirect free kick to the defender's team. This was founded on the premise that the PIOP was involved in active play, the offside offense occurred first and, since it was going to be called because the pass was clearly "going to" the attacker.
Now, however, that has all changed. Referees are unable to do this because the offside offense has become somewhat more refined. Under current guidance the referee must consider if the player in an offside position is either interfering with play or interfering with an opponent. Clearly the PIOP cannot interfere with play as he has not played the ball. We must remember that, despite the intentions of the players and despite how clearly the ball is "going to" the attacker, that attacker could still decide not to interfere with play by avoiding contact with the ball. That pass to the PIOP by itself does not constitute interfering with play.
So we are left with interfering with an opponent which means clearly obstructing the opponent's line of vision or challenging an opponent for the ball. As the PIOP is behind the opponent the line of vision is eliminated so we are left with challenging for the ball. In the absence of a challenge by the PIOP there is no offside offence so the referee can only punish the deliberate handling. The player should also be cautioned for unsporting behaviour since it was the defender's intention to commit a tactical foul. It makes no difference that the ball could not be touched by the PIOP.

Answer provided by Referee Jason Wright

Hi Mark,

Defender B hasn't committed an offside offence until he becomes actively involved in play - in this case, until he receives the ball (his presence potentially influencing the defender's decision isn't enough for interfering with an opponent).

So, the offside offence hasn't occurred but deliberate handling has. Penalise the deliberate handling.

Whether or not the defender should still be cautioned is debatable, in my view. Bear in mind the intent of the action though - to unsportingly deny the opposition a chance to play the ball.

A red card for DOGSO is completely out of the question though.