An increasing number of sports advocates are bringing forth fresh regulations to the Football Association, with Arsene Wenger, the ex-Arsenal manager, advocating for a modification to the offside rule.
This change would rule attackers as onside if any part of their body aligns with the final outfield defender.
Wenger, who leads global development at the international governing body FIFA, asserts that this adjustment will re-establish an edge for the attackers, which many believe was diminished by the implementation of the video assistant referee (VAR).
Currently, players are deemed offside if any body part, excluding hands and arms, is ahead of the last defender.
The former Arsenal coach related this proposed adjustment to a similar instance following the 1990 World Cup.
During the Italia ‘90 tournament and beforehand, a player was flagged offside if they were level with the last defender before the goalkeeper, leading to the lowest average goals per game seen in World Cup history.
“It was in 1990 after Italy’s World Cup when no goals were scored,” Wenger recounted on Bein Sports, reflecting on the rule modification.
“We decided that there would be no offside as long as you are on the same line as the defender.
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“In situations of uncertainty, the benefit goes to the striker. This means that if there is a slight margin, the striker gains an advantage.
“With VAR, that benefit disappeared, and many find it frustrating.”
Experiments with this system have already occurred in Italian youth football, and Wenger mentions that further testing will take place before a conclusive verdict, potentially arriving in 2026.
Any alteration to the offside regulation ultimately depends on the sport’s legislative body, the International Football Association Board (Ifab).
At its annual general assembly in March, Ifab approved additional testing to be overseen by FIFA.
Its objective is to determine whether the trials “promote attacking football and create scoring opportunities while preserving the appeal of the game.”
Any prospective rule modification would only be initiated after discussions with football stakeholders and guidance from Ifab’s football and technical advisory teams.
These panels contain seasoned figures from within football, including past players and referees.
There were also suggestions for amendments to the offside regulation, the contemporary back-pass rule, and maintaining the three-point win standard, which was established following Italia 90 to encourage offensive play.
These modifications had favorable results, with the 1994 World Cup yielding an average of 2.71 goals per match, compared to only 2.21 in 1990.
