**Wenger Advocates for a Fundamental Change to the Offside Rule in Football**
Former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has stirred discussions within the football community by proposing a pivotal change to the offside rule, suggesting that an attacker should be deemed onside if any part of their body is in line with the last outfield defender. Currently, players are ruled offside if any part of their body, excluding their arms and hands, extends past the last defender. This proposal is seen as a significant shift aimed at enhancing the offensive dynamics of the game, particularly in the wake of the touchy nature of offside calls exacerbated by modern technologies such as VAR (Video Assistant Referee).
Wenger, who now serves as the head of global development for FIFA, believes that this change could help restore the crucial advantage that attackers once enjoyed. He expressed that many feel disillusioned by the current regulations since the introduction of VAR, which has often resulted in marginal decisions against attacking players. He recalled how, before and during the 1990 World Cup, players were considered offside if they were level with the last defender. This period recorded the lowest average number of goals per match in World Cup history, at just 2.21.
The impact of that controversial era led to the law’s revision after the 1990 World Cup, allowing players to be onside as long as they were level with the last defender—a regulation aimed at promoting more attacking play and subsequently leading to a higher average of 2.71 goals per match during the 1994 World Cup. Wenger emphasized the essence of favoring the attacker, stating, “In case of doubt, the doubt benefits the striker.” With the implementation of VAR, he noted, that advantage has largely evaporated, causing frustration among teams, players, and fans alike.
Trials for this proposed change have already begun in Italian youth football leagues, and Wenger has mentioned that further testing will take place before any definitive conclusions are drawn. The decision to implement such a change falls to the International Football Association Board (IFAB), the governing body responsible for the laws of the game. During its recent annual general meeting in March, IFAB consented to continue trials coordinated by FIFA, highlighting a desire to foster attacking football while maintaining the game’s intrinsic appeal.
An additional point raised by Wenger is the importance of consultation with various football stakeholders, including experienced members from the community such as former players, referees, and coaches, ensuring that their insights play a critical role in any potential changes to the offside rule. Current advancements in technology used during matches, like the semi-automated systems employed in leagues like the Premier League and others, also factor into these considerations, enabling more accurate assessments of contentious offside positions.
Modern capabilities allow bespoke cameras to monitor critical elements that determine whether an attacking player is ahead of the last defender at the exact moment the ball is played. The technology made its debut in English football during the FA Cup earlier this year and was subsequently adopted by the Premier League. Wenger’s proposition comes at a time when football constantly seeks to evolve and adapt to the changing dynamics, underlining the ongoing dialogue surrounding the sport’s laws and the importance of attracting supporters back towards a more thrilling football experience.
As this potential rule change is deliberated, the emphasis remains on promoting a style of play that enhances scoring opportunities without compromising the elements that make football compelling for fans around the globe. Through these discussions, Wenger reaffirms the delicate balance needed in football regulations to create an engaging environment that excites both players and supporters alike.