Evenin’ all.
So we managed to do that which the mighty Manchester United could not. Mind you, they probably didn’t get the benefit of being gifted a goal that was offside.
The linesman raised his flag and after the briefest of consultations Mike Dean overruled his assistant and the boos rang around Craven Cottage.
First half highlights
Huddlestone’s
I just spent an interesting few minutes reading FIFA’s Laws of the Game. The offside rule itself is pretty straightforward, but the bit in the guidance section is more interesting. Saturday’s situation looks a little bit like number 7 on page 107 to me, not offside. He isn’t in line-of-sight so he ain’t offside. Although it does say something about “not making a movement or gesture which distracts him”. Was Willy moving? I think Sparky said something about “he might stick a foot out”. But he didn’t, and if he had he would’ve been offside so the goal wouldn’t have stood. I don’t think it’s a grey area at all and Sparky is just a little bit gutted and running his mouth off without thinking.
I actually think Sparky’s got a point with the “might stick the foot out” bit: that he “could” means he is “in play” as the keeper has to consider and position for that option. However the rule is not entirely clear on all the things that might constitute “interfering” with play.
I was referring to the “playing him on” concept which certainly when I was playing was often shouted by the desperate scorer who’s just had a goal ruled out. I think it is still the same in that as soon as the ball is kicked forward the player is offside. If it touches someone at any point after that the player who was offside is still offside, there is no sudden immunity because a defender has touched the ball.