New offside law for this season.

[longtimespur]

Some sensible changes to the off-side law regarding players in an off-side position when the ball is played.

Read the full article at Sky sports news

 

[Langers]

These changes should have been implemented years ago. Hey ho, better late than never I suppose.

 

[WalkerboyUK]

Still doesn't solve the issue of inept officials giving offside when a player is in his own half!!!

 

[slartibartfast]

Hmm. Close but no cigar. Still making a simple decision open to interpretation.
Why not just admit you fked up and go back to offside is offside?
Never stop shit for brain decisions like this gem though.

 

[chinaman]

I still like the very old rule that if anyone is in an off-side position when a ball is played forward, he is penalised. The newer rules are giving refs too much freedom and this only benefits bastards who oil refs' hands or pester them until refs are interpreting the rules Maureen's way.

 

[WalkerboyUK]

I still like the very old rule that if anyone is in an off-side position when a ball is played forward, he is penalised. The newer rules are giving refs too much freedom and this only benefits bastards who oil refs' hands or pester them until refs are interpreting the rules Maureen's way.

Agree - chances are, if you're in the offside position it's either because of poor positioning/timing or it's in the hope it will be so marginal that you won't get caught. Yes, there are instances where it's because you were tying laces or a quick counter, but that's not very often.
Offside is offside. Too many rules around it that can be questioned.
If you're between the last defender and the keeper that should be the end of it, regardless of whether the ball is switched to other flank etc.

 

[Lenten]

also by mere presence in an offside position, whether or not you are making an "obvious action," you can affect another player's decision making unfairly, especially goalkeepers.

 

[whitesocks]

I dont know how I feel about this.
If I hit a free kick perfectly, and it goes straight in,
then as long as there were no fouls and the keeper has a good view then that should be a goal - no-one else is part of the play.

My intention was to score directly, and that is what happened. That should be rewarded with a goal.

 

[Japhet]

I suppose it makes a grey area slightly less grey. Personally I think it's far simpler to say that the only time you're not interfering with play is when you're not on the pitch.

 

[Lilbaz]

Think that if a player is in an offside position in the area he should automatically be offside. His very pressence is a distraction to the goalie.

 

[bigspurs]

Cretins shouldn't have changed it in the first place...

 

[DanielCHillier]

It's less of a rule change and more of a clarification on the existing rule to help the referee's in situations that caused controversy last season.

 

[spursram]

I dont know how I feel about this.
If I hit a free kick perfectly, and it goes straight in,
then as long as there were no fouls and the keeper has a good view then that should be a goal - no-one else is part of the play.

My intention was to score directly, and that is what happened. That should be rewarded with a goal.

No problems with that, unless one of your team mates was in an offside position and attempting to contact the ball thus distracting the goalie.

 

[Main Man]

It's less of a rule change and more of a clarification on the existing rule to help the referee's in situations that caused controversy last season.

Exactly.

It's strange though - although I don't officiate anywhere near the amount of games I used to - because my interpretation off the offside law has always been what is being described now ever since the introduction of 'interfering with play'.

 

[DanielCHillier]

Exactly.

It's strange though - although I don't officiate anywhere near the amount of games I used to - because my interpretation off the offside law has always been what is being described now ever since the introduction of 'interfering with play'.

I think that's exactly why the clarification was needed, as the previous wording of the rules was left too open to individual interpretation depending on who the referee was and this caused discrepancies from game to game

 

[spursram]

Good, I've got 5 days to explain it to the wife.

(Apologies ladies).

 

[Houdini]

Think that if a player is in an offside position in the area he should automatically be offside. His very pressence is a distraction to the goalie.

"Distraction".. Do you mean, like, Jack Wilshere in a clown outfit?

 

[Lilbaz]

"Distraction".. Do you mean, like, Jack Wilshire in a clown outfit?

Thought that was their home kit.

 

[chinaman]

The rules of football were simple and easy to apply. It's only when some smart alecs who try to tamper with them that led to so many inconsistencies and controversies. They should go back to the old rules.

 

[greaves]

I suppose it makes a grey area slightly less grey. Personally I think it's far simpler to say that the only time you're not interfering with play is when you're not on the pitch.

Hmm. Now to deal with managers like Mourinho and Ferguson interfering with play when not on pitch....