The Football Association has insisted that no new directive has been issued
regarding the offside rule, despite wide reports to the contrary.
The recent impression given was that there must now be 'daylight' between
the striker and defender before the linesman can flag for offside.
However, the FA's head of refereeing John Baker insisted there has been no
re-interpretation of the laws that have stood for the last ten years.
'Absolutely nothing has changed with the offside law. It has been the same
since 1992,' he explained.
'For some reason I have already heard three television commentators referring
to a 'new directive' this season, but the situation is exactly the same - if
players are level, they are onside.
'But as soon as an attacker becomes closer to
the goal-line than the second last defender, he is in an offside position.
'So an attacker can still be in front of a defender without 'daylight'
appearing and there still be an offside.'
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