FIFA decides to take 'corrective' measures

[Sir X]

Penalty ?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0hGc_UegJfQ

[Time]

The Offside rule is crystal clear, he is why

Karl,

I cut and paste the following from FIFA.COM, Laws of the game. I have highlighted the words "second-last opponent" .

It is not an offence in itself to be in an offside position.
A player is in an offside position if:
• he is nearer to his opponents’ goal line than both the ball and the
second-last opponent

A player is not in an offside position if:
• he is in his own half of the fi eld of play or
• he is level with the second-last opponent or
• he is level with the last two opponents

Tevez was nearer to the goal-line than both the ball and the LAST opponent. technically he is then NOT offside?

My instinct and sense of fair play tell me that the position he is in should also be considered off-side but the wording of the Law seems to vindicate the refs decision to let the goal stand. Where is Gamma?

The rule is perfect. It does not matter were the the second-last opponent is on the field. provided that the attacker in the opponent's half of the field and behind that second-last opponent

So was Tevez nearer to the goal-line than both the ball and the 2nd to last opponent - 100% yes

[Islandman]

Excellent interpretation. No confusion there whatsoever.

[Peter R]

Thanks Time. the folks whom I have the debate with are fixating on the "second-last" opponent; their contention is that if he is manages to find himself behind the LAST ooponent (as he did in the match) he is then not offside...but as you indicate to be behind the last you MUSt also be behind the second to last...

Having said that FIFA needs to clarify even more clearly in the wording so there is no doubt. Heavens know what the ref and linesman (mi still call dem dat) were thinking!

[Peter R]

depends whixh angle replay you saw to be fair. One looked like he touched it the other looked like he missed it completely.

[Peter R]

at 0:03 to 0:04 seconds it looks like he clearly missed the ball; from the other angle it looked like he touched it..I would have to go with the first one as it was closer and clearer... if i were the fourth ref I would award the penalty based on the first angle.

[Sir X]

Me too...the angles say it all.