Question Number: 21573

Law 11 - Offside 6/21/2009

RE: Rec Under 19

Jeff of Laguna Beach, CA USA asks...

This question is a follow up to question 21555

Thank you for the responses. I believe I'm confused as to where the attacker is considered to be when they leave the field with the referee's permission - which is essentially no where - they have no position. If instead of entering in his own half, what if the sequence had been the following: referee waves attacking player on, teammate booms a ball over the defenders. Attacker then enters the field 10 yards from the goalline, closer to the goalline than the second to last defender and the ball, and then runs to the ball and begins playing it?

Thank you for any clarification of this situation you can provide.

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

While the player is off the field with the referee's permission, he has no position on the field. When he enters the field with permission, his location is reestablished at where he is now. That could very well be in an offside position.

The wise referee would not give permission for a player to suddenly enter the field in a strategically significant position. We wouldn't let a player enter just as an opponent was streaking down the sideline with the ball, and allow the reentering player to steal the ball. Neither would we allow a player to enter the field ahead of his attacking teammates, suddenly giving the opponents another player to have to defend against.

Only allow the player to reenter at a neutral situation, and there is no problem with determining offside position/participation.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

His position for considering offside would be on the touchline 10 yards from the goal line. From what you describe he would not be allowed to play the ball.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

The referee has dug a hole in beckoning the attacker at such a dangerous time. The technical answer, however, is that the attacker is not in an offside position if off the field with the permission of the referee at the time the ball is touched or played by a teammate. (Of course, the referee could 'judge' that the player entered at the moment of the kick and is then in an offside position.)

What to do if the player clearly was off the field at the time of the kick? Stop play because the referee created an unfair situation in letting the player enter. Restart with a dropped ball.