UEFA.com works better on other browsers
For the best possible experience, we recommend using Chrome, Firefox or Microsoft Edge.

World debut for new rules

The FIFA World Youth Championship will see a first test for new offside regulations.

By Mark Chaplin

The FIFA World Youth Championship, which has just started in the Netherlands, will provide the first opportunity to see the practical application of the changes on laws relating to offside, unsporting behaviour and players' equipment. The modifications were made at the most recent meeting of football's lawmakers, the International Football Association Board.

'New interpretations'
"Law 11, which relates to offside, has not changed in essence," Fernando Tresaco Gracia, the tournament referees' coordinator, told the FIFA website. "The competition will see the new interpretations of the law as approved by the IFAB at their meeting in February in Wales."

Three issues
The text approved by the IFAB with regard to deciding whether or not a player is actively involved in play clarifies the three issues of interfering with play, interfering with an opponent or gaining an advantage by being in an offside position.

Clear definitions
According to the text, 'interfering with play' means playing or touching the ball passed or touched by a team-mate. 'Interfering with an opponent' means preventing an opponent from playing or being able to play the ball by clearly obstructing the opponent's line of vision or movements or making a gesture or movement which, in the opinion of the referee, deceives or distracts an opponent. 'Gaining an advantage by being in an offside position' means playing a ball that rebounds to him off a post or crossbar or playing a ball that rebounds to him off an opponent having been in an offside position.

Wait and see
"In essence, what it means is that if an attacking player is in an offside position, but not interfering with an opponent, the referee must wait until he touches the ball before penalising him for being offside," said Tresaco Gracia. "We want the referee's assistant to wait a little longer before deciding if the player in the offside position is actively interfering with play."

Delayed reaction
If the attacking player in an offside position is running towards the ball and touches it, only when contact with the ball has been made should the assistant raise his flag. If contact is not made, then play should continue. "However, if a player's position interferes with an opponent, preventing him from reaching or playing the ball, or results in impaired vision for a goalkeeper or defender, the referee need not wait until said player touches the ball before sanctioning the offence," he added.

Rebound situations
Doubt has also been removed as to whether or not a player is gaining an advantage from an offside position when a team-mate's shot rebounds off an opponent and falls to a player in an offside position. In such instances, play must be stopped.

Referees' approval
"We believe that with these clarifications, there will be much more uniformity in the application of a norm that has caused quite a lot of confusion," Tresaco Gracia said. "Now it's much clearer. We've worked on these points with the referees and they seem very comfortable with them."

Hard line
Another novelty in this tournament will be the use of yellow cards to sanction unsporting conduct deliberately used to waste time. "We'll also be rigorous in enforcing the laws relating to players' equipment in this championship, and would remind players that it is strictly forbidden to enter the field of play wearing potentially dangerous items such as pendants, necklaces or rings," Tresaco Gracia added.