There was some controversy surrounding Bruno Fernandes’ goal in the Manchester derby on Saturday, but former referee Peter Walton said it was right that goal stood....CONTINUE READING>>
Casemiro played Marcus Rashford in behind the City defense at Old Trafford with Manchester City leading 1-0, but Rashford was unquestionably offside.
Before Rashford touched the ball, Bruno Fernandes advanced from an onside position while he went toward it and made a great finish beyond Ederson before Rashford even touched the ball.
The disappointed Manchester City defenders were acting as though Rashford would be warned for offside, but Walton clarified that since he didn’t touch the ball or obstruct a defender, he wasn’t.
I believe this to be a goal. Walton told BT Sport that Rashford made a move for the ball but didn’t play it himself or impede an opponent from doing so.
The offside flag is raised for good reason due to the offside position, but after VAR reviews the situation and the assistant talks to [referee] Stuart Attwell about it, I believe the goal should stand.
Fernandes commented on his goal, saying: “I was facing the goal, Marcus probably saw I was in a better position.”
“I had no idea if either of us had crossed the line.” He failed to have any effect on the defenders. What is, is what is.
FA Rule 11.2: Offside Infraction
Only when a player enters active play—either by interfering with play by playing or touching a ball passed or touched by a teammate, or by interfering with an opponent—is that player penalized for being in an offside position when the ball is played or touched* by a teammate.
Gaining an advantage by playing the ball or interfering with an opponent when it has: rebounded or been deflected off the ground; challenged an opponent for the ball; clearly attempted to play a ball that is close when this action impacts on an opponent; or made an obvious action that clearly impacts on an opponent’s ability to play the ball.
Unless there was a purposeful save by any opponent, a player in an offside position receiving the ball from an opponent who intentionally plays the ball, including by deliberate handball, is not thought to have gained an advantage.
A player makes a “save” when they use any part of their body other than their hands or arms to stop or attempt to stop a ball that is headed toward or extremely close to the goal (unless the goalkeeper within the penalty area).
In circumstances where:
If a player moves into an opponent’s path while in an offside position or while standing there, interfering with the opponent’s movement towards the ball, that is considered an offside offense and should be punished under Law 12.
If the player blocks the opponent while moving into the opponent’s path, that is considered an offence and should be punished under Law 12.
If an offside player is fouled while going towards the ball with the intent to play it, attempt to play it, or challenge an opponent for the ball, the foul is punished because it happened before the offside offense.
When a player in an offside position plays the ball, attempts to play the ball, or challenges another player for the ball, the offside offense is punished because it happened before the foul challenge.
*Use the ball’s first point of contact when playing or touching it.
