Question Number: 28578

Law 11 - Offside 7/6/2014

RE: Pro Professional

Pablo of Hollywood, Florida US asks...

Regarding the world cup, In the offsides call against Colombia Vs Brasil Was There an offsides at all? Since the ball was rebounded off the defense of player before any attackers touched it. Did they mess up the call? or was it the right call. Thank you for you input into this question.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Pablo
The AR made the correct call. Replays of the disallowed goal showed that No 3 Yepes had part of his body beyond the 2nd last Brazilian player at the moment the free kick was taken which placed him in an offside position. The AR would have seen the red of the Colombian player beyond the yellow shirts of Brazil. As No 3 Yepes then challenged for the ball in the group of players that then met the final offside condition.
Now by the time the ball arrived in the group the player in an offside position was in an onside position due to the movement of Luiz along with other Brazilian players. That though made no difference as the player could not put himself back onside. The call would have been for interfering with an opponent. The ball was eventually kicked by a Brazilian player but offside would have been called before this happened. The fact was that the Colombian player just moved forward a fraction too soon and then challenged in the air for the ball.

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

When a ball rebounds off an opponent, a player's original offside position does not go away, even though the player may be in an onside position (because of player movement) when the ball is received. It is the 3rd way of being involved, by 'gaining an advantage'. Gaining is strictly limited to these rebound situations, either from an opponent or from the goal.

Answer provided by Referee richard dawson

Are you referring to the 66 minute? There were two Columbians NEEDLESSLY in an offside position at the taking of the free kick unfortunately one of them was # 3 Mario Yepes he was ACTIVELY involved in play, given he was challenging the defenders for the ball and the flag was correct.All because he stood in behind the Brazilian wall at the taking of the free kick! If he had remained just a bit further away, given the rebound of the ball off the defender sent the ball into a non offside Columbian attacker first then he might have been freed up to rejoin active play as a new phase is initiated.
It was a legit offside call and he has only himself to blame!
Cheers