Arsene Wenger Proposes Modification to Offside Rule
A proposal to change the offside rule has been put forward by Arsene Wenger, head of global development at FIFA. The proposed alteration would see attackers being declared onside if any part of their body is in line with the final outfield defender.
Wenger believes that this change would give attackers an advantage that many feel has been taken away by the implementation of the video assistant referee (VAR) system.
Currently, a player is considered offside if any part of their body is beyond the final defender, excluding their hands and arms.
Wenger drew parallels between this proposed modification and a similar change that was made following the 1990 World Cup.
During Italia 90, the average number of goals per game was the lowest in World Cup history. This prompted a rule change that stated a player was not offside if they were level with the final defender before the goalkeeper.
“It was in 1990 after the World Cup in Italy when there were no goals scored,” Wenger explained during an interview with Bein Sports.
“We decided that there is no offside any more when you are on the same line of the defender.
“In case of doubt, the doubt benefits the striker. That means when there’s a fraction – the striker did get the advantage.
“With VAR this advantage disappeared and for many people it’s frustrating.”
The proposed rule change has already been tested in Italian youth football, with further trials planned before any final decision is made, potentially in 2026.
The International Football Association Board (Ifab), the body responsible for determining the laws of the game, has the authority to alter the offside rule.
In March, Ifab agreed to participate in additional trials conducted by FIFA to assess whether the proposed changes would promote attacking football and increase goal-scoring opportunities while maintaining the game’s appeal.
Any potential rule modifications will only be implemented after consulting with football stakeholders and receiving input from Ifab’s technical and football advisory bodies, which include referees and retired players.
Following the 1990 World Cup, changes such as the back-pass rule, the introduction of three points for a win, and modifications to the offside law were made to encourage more attacking play.
The impact of these changes was evident at the 1994 World Cup, where the average number of goals per match increased to 2.71 from 2.21 in 1990, showcasing the positive effects of rule adjustments in the sport.
