Ken Aston MBE

Offside! Interfering with an Opponent
Example 4
Makes an obvious action
which clearly impacts
on the ability of an
opponent to play the ball
It is worth remembering the working definition of ‘impact’ and that
match officials are encouraged to use the physical evidence that is
clear to them at the time. ‘Impact’ applies to an opponent’s ability
(or potential) to play the ball and will include situations where
an opponent’s movement to play the ball is delayed, hindered or
prevented by the player in an offside position.
As before it is important to consider the key components of
the decision-making process:
In terms of general principles, to impact the ability of an
opponent to play the ball:
• The attacking player in an offside position must make an
obvious action. This action must be obvious but does not
need to be deliberate
Impacts
Opponent X
Clearly attempts X
Ball is
close
+ =
• The opponent would usually have a clear view of the attacking
player in an offside position
• The opponent would need to delay their action to wait and see if
the attacking player in an offside position touches or plays the ball
The white player is in an offside position, but does not attempt to play the ball. By standing still
there is no clear action, which impacts on the ability of any opponent to play the ball. As there is no
clear attempt to play the ball, no judgement is needed as to whether or not the player’s actions
impact on an opponent. In this case they do not impact on an opponent as the player does not
prevent or hinder any opponent having the opportunity to play the ball.
Expected Outcome
no oFFSIDE
OFFENCE
(play should continue)
Attacking player
(offside position)
Obvious action
Impact on ability
of an opponent
to play the ball
Offside
offence
(inter fering
with an
opponent)
• The opponent’s movement or ball-playing options are clearly
restricted by the physical movement and/or actions of the
attacking player in an offside position
To assist in understanding the two key components,
two situations can be considered:
Example 5
Example 1
Obvious
action
Impacts
Opponent X
Impacts
Opponent X
Ball is close X
Clearly attempts X
The player in an offside position does not attempt to play the ball. The player is not close to the
ball and it is clearly in front. As there is no clear attempt to play the ball, no judgement is needed as
to whether or not the player’s actions impact on an opponent. In this case they do not impact on an
opponent and although defending players appeal for an offside flag to be raised, this is not considered
an impact as the player does not prevent or hinder any opponent having the opportunity to play the ball.
Expected Outcome
no oFFSIDE
OFFENCE
(play should continue)
The red attacking player in an offside position does not attempt to play the ball and does not challenge
an opponent for the ball. The red player does not prevent or hinder the white defender from playing the ball.
Therefore, the attacking player in an offside position does not have a clear impact on the ability of the
opponent to play the ball. The consequence of the defender heading the ball into their own goal does not
mean that there has been an impact - the Laws do not exist to protect players from making mistakes.
Expected Outcome
no oFFSIDE
OFFENCE
(play should continue)
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