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Fifa close to introducing big new change to offside rule thanks to Arsene Wenger

01 July 2023 , 17:22
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Fifa close to introducing big new change to offside rule thanks to Arsene Wenger
Fifa close to introducing big new change to offside rule thanks to Arsene Wenger

FIFA are reportedly considering a huge new change to the offside rule.

And it’s all thanks to former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger.

Fifa are discussing whether to trial a major change to the offside rule qhiukiuiqkzprw
Fifa are discussing whether to trial a major change to the offside ruleCredit: Sky Sports
The move, led by Arsene Wenger, would see a player require his entire body to be past the defender to be offside
The move, led by Arsene Wenger, would see a player require his entire body to be past the defender to be offsideCredit: Getty Images - Getty

The Frenchman stepped away from the Gunners in 2018 after 22 years of loyal service.

Since then, he has been working as Fifa’s Chief of Global Football Development.

And Wenger could now be set to implement a huge update to the offside rule.

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Fifa will start trialling the change during some games in Holland, Italy and Sweden.

At the moment, a player is deemed offside if any part of his body - which can score a goal - is ahead of the final defender when the ball is played.

But Wenger’s proposal will see that changed to the entire goal-scoring body of the player, effectively giving attackers a huge advantage when they make runs off the shoulder.

Should the trials be deemed a success, full implantation would send shockwaves around the game.

But the new rule change is far from guaranteed to be introduced at this time.

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Speedy forwards will be the main stars to get a boost, while slow defenders will not be able to rely on positioning entirely.

Football fans responded in mixed style, with some in favour of the change and some against it.

One said: “Thank god, offside is an awful rule. Ruins so many exciting plays.”

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Another declared: “This would be an excellent change, more goals = more excitement.”

One added: “This has potential to open up scoring in the sport, as well as eliminate controversial offsides.”

On the flip side, one said: “So we go from a pink toe or edge of shoulder being offside to this? Why are we ruining this sport?”

One noted: “Don’t like this one bit, attackers can stand offside, put toe in front of player for a split second and then have a free run on goal.”

Another added: “Fifa finding new ways to make offside worse, have to admire it.”

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Anthony Chapman

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