XI. OFF-SIDE

  1. Does a player infringe the Law if he is in an offside position and moves a little way beyond the boundary of the field of play to show clearly to the referee that he is not interfering with play?

    No, but if the referee considers that such a movement has a tactical aim or is in any way a feint, and the player takes part in the game immediately after, the referee may deem his action to be ungentlemanly conduct and caution him. Play shall be restarted in accordance with the Laws of the Game.

  2. A player of the attacking team passes beyond the boundary line for a moment in order to avoid an off-side. However as soon as he re-enters the field of play he joins in the game and plays the ball which has been passed to him by a team colleague. Would it be correct to award an indirect free-kick and caution the player as he has committed two infringements at the same time, off-side and leaving the field of play without the referee's permission?

    Only off-side shall be penalised as the player's exit from the field of play cannot be considered as leaving the field without the referee's permission and therefore does not warrant a caution.

  3. What action should the referee take if a defending player moves beyond his own goal-line in order to place an opponent in an off-side position?

    The action of the defender is considered as ungentlemanly conduct, but it is not necessary for the referee to stop play immediately to caution the player. The attacker should not be punished for the position in which he has been unfairly placed.

  4. A forward is unable to stop running and enters the goal. At the same time the ball rebounds from the goalkeeper or a post and another forward kicks the ball into the goal. What is the decision if:
    (a) the forward who is in the goal remains stationary as the ball enters?
    (b) the forward who is in the goal moves or shouts as the ball enters?

    (a) The goal is valid in this case. The player cannot be considered off-side.
    (b) A goal cannot he allowed because the player who shouted or moved interfered with the game. As the forward who shouted or moved was off the field of play, play shall be resumed by a dropped ball on that part of the goal-area line which runs parallel to the goal-line near the point nearest to where the hall was when play was stopped. The offending forward shall also he cautioned for ungentlemanly conduct.

  5. "A" plays the ball towards "B", who is in an off-side position and moving towards the ball. The referee declares him offside because he is trying to gain an advantage. When the referee indicates his decision, "B" is closer to the ball. From where should the indirect free-kick be taken?
    (a) from the point where "B" was when the ball was played by "A", or
    (b) from the point where "B" was when the referee signalled he was offside?

    The referee shall give the indirect free-kick from the place where B was when the ball was last played.