FIFA and IFAB are collaborating on the development of a new offside concept aimed at enhancing the dynamism and appeal of football for both players and fans. The organizations plan to commence testing of this new approach, which would only consider a rule violation if the attacking player is completely ahead of the last defender with their entire body. This concept, advocated by former Arsenal coach Arsene Wenger, FIFA’s director of world football development, has already been discussed at the latest IFAB meeting and will be initially tested at the youth level in countries like Italy, Sweden, and the Netherlands before potentially being implemented in professional football.
FIFA and IFAB are already working on the development of a new offside concept that aims to make football more dynamic and attractive for players and fans.
The FIFA and IFAB organizations plan to start testing the new offside approach.
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This approach assumes that a rule violation will be determined by the referee only if the attacking player is ahead of the last defender with his whole body.
That is, if only part of the attacking player’s body is in front of the last defender, then offside will not be recorded.
This approach has long been championed by former Arsenal coach Arsene Wenger, and now FIFA’s director of world football development.
Arsene Wenger. Photo: Getty Images
In fact, his influence has been particularly noticeable in other recent changes taking place in football, such as the removal of the away goals rule in cup competitions.
According to Mundo Deportivo, the new offside concept has already been discussed at the latest IFAB meeting.
It will initially be tested at youth level in countries such as Italy, Sweden and the Netherlands before moving to professional football in the future.
Remember that the term “offside position” was first introduced by the English Football Association in 1863. Since then, this rule has undergone many reforms and changes.
