Question Number: 28531

Law 11 - Offside 6/19/2014

RE: Rec/ Select High School

Adam Grimmer of Fredericton, NB Canada asks...

So far the vote is split 3v3, with solid reasoning for both, so I thought I'd come here for the tiebreaker.

It's the first time I've seen this happen in 10 years of refereeing.

The second last defender for team 1 has possession of the ball. A lazy player from team 2 is walking down field, in an offside position, 5 yards behind the second last defender.

The defender's clearing attempt deflects (non-intentional) off a player from team 2, over the defenders head and directly to the team 2 player who is in an offside position.

Offside or No offside? To me, the language in the laws of the game do not provide a clear answer.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Adam
There is no debate about this. Law 11 is explicit in that it states and I quote, ''A player in an offside position is only penalised if, at the moment the ball TOUCHES or is played by one of his team ... '' (Capitals by me.)
In this case a team mate of the player in an offside position has touched the ball (makes no difference if it is inadvertent or not) so offside MUST be called. Anyone that says otherwise is incorrect.

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

Absolutely offside. Law 11 says touches or played. It doesn't have to be a deliberate play.

Perhaps those 3 who say otherwise are thinking about when a ball deflects off an opponent. Then the attacker receiving the ball is offside (if the other conditions are met) for becoming involved in play by gaining an advantage.