Daylight offside (13 Viewers)

Calista · 2026-04-20T11:15:41+0100

This doesn't affect the VAR debate, as it only moves the position of the demarcation line. But it clearly gives much more leeway to the attacking side.

And it might reduce controversy because if the attacker's whole body (rather than just a big toe) is beyond the defender you can't argue that there was no advantage.

Video: First 'daylight offside' goal scored in Canadian Premier League

Pacific FC forward Alejandro Diaz scores against Halifax Wanderers in the Canadian Premier League, the first instance of a "daylight offside" situation resulting in a goal.

www.bbc.co.uk

skybluecam · 2026-04-20T11:42:49+0100

Surely this will push defensive lines back as attackers get a significant headstart on defenders. Can't see how it would be good for the game.

shepardo01 · 2026-04-20T11:54:12+0100

Will be very very difficult to get right as a lino/assistant referee....
Leg movement when running is obviously ever changing so to judge that on when the ball is played will be a nightmare!!

SkyblueTexan · 2026-04-20T11:59:51+0100

This daylight rule is going to create so many issues if it becomes the norm. Forget the high line. Obviously for attackers who routinely get caught offside this may be a good thing.

Calista · 2026-04-20T12:04:00+0100

To be clear I wasn't necessarily arguing in favour of this, merely posting the BBC story.

Calista · 2026-04-20T12:07:24+0100

A surprising number of professional players (including at least one in our current lineup) only appear to be dimly aware that the offside rule even exists, so any advantage to them would be purely accidental!

CovveeBreak · 2026-04-20T12:08:51+0100

Yeah but we'd have had an FA cup final though

Alkhen · 2026-04-20T12:10:50+0100

Calista said:
This doesn't affect the VAR debate, as it only moves the position of the demarcation line. But it clearly gives much more leeway to the attacking side.

And it might reduce controversy because if the attacker's whole body (rather than just a big toe) is beyond the defender you can't argue that there was no advantage.

Video: First 'daylight offside' goal scored in Canadian Premier League

Pacific FC forward Alejandro Diaz scores against Halifax Wanderers in the Canadian Premier League, the first instance of a "daylight offside" situation resulting in a goal.

www.bbc.co.uk

I want to see in action properly first.

Seems like a decent idea to me. I go to football to see action and drama, goals are a big part of that so I don't actually mind it weighted in the attackers favor. The current system of forensically looking for big toe or slight lean so they can chalk off a goal seems so wrong.

Yes there would be marginal calls but as you say the shift to daylight would atleast means the attacker has definitely gained some clear advantage by the point they become offside.

The proof would be testing it to see if the game breaks because coaches shift to deeper lines and clog up the flow of the game. but we won't see that fully until it's trialed at a higher level with VAR assistance.

ClarkeZ · 2026-04-20T12:13:13+0100

I just think they need to widen the margin for error and admit that one exists.
They have to pick a frame from the camera footage where the ball is kicked, which absolutely has a margin for error, then try to pick millimetre perfect lines on 2 moving bodies.

- Make the lines 1-2 inches wide each.
- Put them on independently without the other being visible.
- Overlay the images and if the lines are touching its onside. Or maybe stay with on-field decision to make the lino's feel more involved.

Shannerz · 2026-04-20T12:13:41+0100

Haven't they tried this before, years ago (or was it just mooted)?

Tbh, the issue isn't the law, which is fine, it's how VAR is utilised to enforce it, with the vastly overly pedantic enforcement currently in practice. As the OP says, this won't solve that, just put the lines in a different place.

If VAR must be used, my solution would be, is it obvious? I.e., can you tell with the naked eye on a freeze if the officials have called it wrong? If not, officials' decision stands. No need for lines or changes to the law, just better application of technology required.

Sky Blue Pete · 2026-04-20T12:13:53+0100

skybluecam said:
Surely this will push defensive lines back as attackers get a significant headstart on defenders. Can't see how it would be good for the game.

Unintended consequences

CovveeBreak · 2026-04-20T12:16:56+0100

Shannerz said:
Haven't they tried this before, years ago (or was it just mooted)?

Tbh, the issue isn't the law, which is fine, it's how VAR is utilised to enforce it, with the vastly overly pedantic enforcement currently in practice. As the OP says, this won't solve that, just put the lines in a different place.

If VAR must be used, my solution would be, is it obvious? I.e., can you tell with the naked eye on a freeze if the officials have called it wrong? If not, officials' decision stands. No need for lines or changes to the law, just better application of technology required.

100% this.

So much of the rules are still arguably subjective, so I'd just want to see the ruling shift to allow refs to decide whether a clear and obvious advantage was available. For example the Haji Wright offside in FA Cup semi - yes offside by the book but like fuck that gave him any advantage whatsoever for the lead up to the goal. So a ref should be able to view it and decide whether it was an advantage or not.

CovInEssex · 2026-04-20T13:04:29+0100

skybluecam said:
Surely this will push defensive lines back as attackers get a significant headstart on defenders. Can't see how it would be good for the game.

more goals?

CCFCSteve · 2026-04-20T13:22:08+0100

ClarkeZ said:
I just think they need to widen the margin for error and admit that one exists.
They have to pick a frame from the camera footage where the ball is kicked, which absolutely has a margin for error, then try to pick millimetre perfect lines on 2 moving bodies.

- Make the lines 1-2 inches wide each.
- Put them on independently without the other being visible.
- Overlay the images and if the lines are touching its onside. Or maybe stay with on-field decision to make the lino's feel more involved.

Was going to say something similar about increase VAR margin of error for offsides with thicker lines to give attackers a bit of benefit of the doubt

No VAR decision should take more than 30 seconds (max) as it wouldn’t be clear and obvious error if it does

shmmeee · 2026-04-20T13:23:04+0100

CovInEssex said:
more goals?

Surely lower defensive lines means fewer goals?

CovInEssex · 2026-04-20T13:25:54+0100

shmmeee said:
Surely lower defensive lines means fewer goals?

So why do defences play so high up the pitch?

If attackers are given an advantage, the outcome is more goals

JimmyHillsbeard · 2026-04-20T13:32:01+0100

Calista said:
This doesn't affect the VAR debate, as it only moves the position of the demarcation line. But it clearly gives much more leeway to the attacking side.

And it might reduce controversy because if the attacker's whole body (rather than just a big toe) is beyond the defender you can't argue that there was no advantage.

Video: First 'daylight offside' goal scored in Canadian Premier League

Pacific FC forward Alejandro Diaz scores against Halifax Wanderers in the Canadian Premier League, the first instance of a "daylight offside" situation resulting in a goal.

www.bbc.co.uk

You’re still going to get line calls, it’s just the line calls will be harder to assess and the natural tendency will be for attackers to goal hang and defenders to drop deeper.

It’s a horrendous policy and a reputation shredding one for Wenger I suspect.

shmmeee · 2026-04-20T13:39:36+0100

CovInEssex said:
So why do defences play so high up the pitch?

If attackers are given an advantage, the outcome is more goals

Yeah assuming the defenders don’t change to nullify that advantage.

COVKIDSNEVERQUIT · 2026-04-20T13:41:13+0100

skybluecam said:
Surely this will push defensive lines back as attackers get a significant headstart on defenders. Can't see how it would be good for the game.

I know it's state in the bleeding obvious, any player can be offside from the halfway line to the goal line.

As for defensive Lines being pushed back you can't get any more push back than defenders standing in their own penalty area to take GoalKicks.

Essexrobbie · 2026-04-20T13:45:20+0100

So is this retroactive. Can we claim a victory, if not just morally over man Utd? Should help Wright cut down on his offsides by a few dozen anyway.

COVKIDSNEVERQUIT · 2026-04-20T13:47:22+0100

CovInEssex said:
So why do defences play so high up the pitch?

If attackers are given an advantage, the outcome is more goals

Yeah isn't that why people pay money to see their team score goals, not for it to be ruled out by a toenail.

Daylight offside (13 Viewers)

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