28/03/2026
It is not an offence to be in an offside position. However, a player in an offside position may be penalised even if they do not touch the ball, if they commit one of the following offences considered to be ‘interfering with an opponent’.
1️⃣ preventing an opponent from playing or being able to play the ball by clearly obstructing the opponent’s line of vision
Example: An attacker is standing in an offside position in front of the defending team’s goalkeeper when a shot on goal is taken. The attacker is not moving but they are very close to the goalkeeper, so their body clearly obstructs the goalkeeper’s line of vision.
2️⃣ challenging an opponent for the ball
Example: An attacker in an offside position fairly tackles a defender who loses possession of the ball under pressure from the offside attacker, even though no foul has been committed.
3️⃣ clearly attempting to play a ball which is close when this action impacts an opponent
Example: An attacker is in an offside position at the moment their team-mate takes a free kick. While the ball is in the air, the attacker moves towards the opposing goalkeeper and jumps in front of them, attempting to head the ball. Although the attacker does not touch the ball, their action clearly impacts the goalkeeper, who can only parry the ball with one hand and is unable to catch it.
Example: An attacker is in an offside position at the moment a team-mate takes a direct free kick. While the ball is in the air, the attacker jumps to head it but does not touch the ball. The attacker’s movement confuses the goalkeeper, who fails to make a save, and the ball enters the goal.
4️⃣ making an obvious action which clearly impacts on the opponent’s ability to play the ball
Example: A player passes the ball towards an attacker who is in an offside position in the opponents’ penalty area. The attacker does not attempt to play the ball as it is not within playing distance; however, the attacker’s movement is very close to a defender who accidentally kicks the ball into their own goal.
