MadAmster
Vital Squad Member
Probably the most misunderstood and contentious of all of the game's Laws.
You can't be offside at a corner, throw in or corner. That is understood. However, I have always taken it to mean that an opposition attacker closer to the goal of the goal kick taking side's goal than thier last defender is NOT offside. Simply because he is "behind the ball". I always thought it doesn't count for players of the goal kivk takinh side who are in the opposition's half.
Last Sunday I reffed for the first time in a year. Keeper took a goal kick and launched the ball well into the opposition's half. The assistant referee flagged for offside. I gave the free kick. The goal kick taking side all shouted, you can't be offside from a goal kick. The opposition actually agreed with them. So did all of the spectators.
The game had been full of needle and it was hard to keep control. I took a decision I never thought I would. To keep the peace I let the goal kick be retaken. Everybody was happy except me.
Who was right? Does the no offside by a goal kick only apply to opposition attackers or also to team mates of the take who are in the opposition's half?
You can't be offside at a corner, throw in or corner. That is understood. However, I have always taken it to mean that an opposition attacker closer to the goal of the goal kick taking side's goal than thier last defender is NOT offside. Simply because he is "behind the ball". I always thought it doesn't count for players of the goal kivk takinh side who are in the opposition's half.
Last Sunday I reffed for the first time in a year. Keeper took a goal kick and launched the ball well into the opposition's half. The assistant referee flagged for offside. I gave the free kick. The goal kick taking side all shouted, you can't be offside from a goal kick. The opposition actually agreed with them. So did all of the spectators.
The game had been full of needle and it was hard to keep control. I took a decision I never thought I would. To keep the peace I let the goal kick be retaken. Everybody was happy except me.
Who was right? Does the no offside by a goal kick only apply to opposition attackers or also to team mates of the take who are in the opposition's half?