Offside: The Most Controversial Term in Football

Offside is a term all football fans are familiar with; many terms it as the most controversial word in football. Many fans have heard about this, but few know how refs use it during a match. In this article, let’s dive deep into the most confusing term in football history. Mathematics might be the most challenging concept for many, but Offside tops the chart for football fans.

What is Offside?

Offside is a rule in football that regulates how players can move on the pitch concerning the opposing team’s goal. Specifically, it refers to an attacking player’s position in relation to the last defender when a pass is directed to them. If the attacking player is closer to the goal than the last defender when the pass is made, they are deemed to be in an offside position.

For an act to be called an offside, there are a few key factors to monitor.

1. The player must be in an offside position when the pass is played.
2. A Player must be involved in active play. It means they are either interfering with an opponent or seeking to gain an advantage by being in an offside position.
3. The player must be deemed to be gaining an advantage by being in an offside position.

Once all these points are valid, the act is offside. As a result, the opposition team is awarded a free kick from the spot where the foul occurred.

Importance in Football 

1. It is a crucial rule in football as it helps play a fair game. 
2. It disallows players to go up the pitch and score a goal from an offside position.
3. It helps to prevent dangerous situations on the pitch, such as a collision between the player and goalkeeper.
4. It helps to conduct the game in a safe and controlled manner.

Many fans believe that refs haven’t been too accurate in calling an act an offside; to avoid this confusion, FIFA Introduced VAR.

There might be many technical terms that fans would find hard to understand, but every rule has a part to play. Of course, Offside might not have been lucky for many teams, but it has drastically affected results in the past.

READ MORE: Liverpool happy to be trouble makers for Man City

Football is a funny nerve wrecking game and undoubtedly gives goosebumps to the fans. So be it late 80 minutes or reckless 90+, some go home with fond memories or sleepless nights, all thanks to offsides.