Do offside calls need video review?

[STpassion]

I came across this on Soccer 365 and my opinion is the video review slows the game down and takes away from free flowing football game.
What's your opinion?

Do offside calls need video review?...
(http://www.soccer365.com/features/story_29109010756.php)

[tab5g]

my opinion is that this is likely in the wrong forum for this thread. (unless there's an MLS angle I'm missing in that article.)

[QuakeAttack]

my opinion is that this is likely in the wrong forum for this thread. (unless there's an MLS angle I'm missing in that article.)

Based upon the quality of MLS ARs, may be this should remain here... :rolleyes:

By the way, the answer is "Maybe". In general, it's not worth stopping the game (except for potential offside leading to goals). However, if a goal is scored, I could see the fourth official quickly reviewing the goal (because a stoppage has already occured). Similar to football, it would need to be clear before changing the decision. Anything close should not change the decision on the field...

[aimorris]

No.

[sidefootsitter]

Yes.

The same set-up as in the NHL.

Continue the play until the play stoppage.

Then review.

With LCD sets, WiFi and the "booth" or a "central office", a definite review should be available by then, i.e., in under 30 seconds.

It's actually more important than the goalline review, since the offside debates happen in virtually every match.

[tab5g]

the video production quality of MLS matches (and configuration of some temporary stadiums that prevent the placement of cameras in ideal locations) make this a very tough proposition for MLS.

there is no guaranteed way to know that a video replay will be available that gives the definitive (and correct) view and decision on any/all offside calls.

disputed goal-line calls (and replays) are tough enough (even with a steady camera locked on the endline.

the offside line (second to last defender location) is always moving through-out the game, and I don't think the technology is there (specifically within MLS) to ensure that a properly aligned replay would be available. (there's also the issue of getting a wide-enough field shot to assure that the reviewer will know when the ball was actually played, and the moment when offside should be judged).

in theory, it sounds like a fine idea. but in reality, the implementation would be difficult.

[camicia arancione]

If the rule can't be called properly (and it clearly can't), they should change or eliminate the rule, not make the game 4 hours long. It's essentially the same as charging/blocking in basketball, where the outcome of games are very often altered based on what is close to an arbitrary decision. It's idiotic.

[xtomx]

No.

agreed

[slimjim21591]

no, that would slow up the game too much it, it would be like in football where you could review pass interferance on TD passes.

[Etienne_72772]

Bad calls happen in every sport by every referee. It's the nature of sport in general that plays are at the whim of a very human arbiter. I say, don't introduce into the game of soccer.

[ThreeApples]

Yes.

The same set-up as in the NHL.The NHL doesn't have video review of offside calls, so I agree, let's have the same set-up as the NHL.

[I. Tristeza]

Please no.

I might be open to persuasion for chips in the ball and goal to make a real-time determination as to whether the goal line has been crossed, but absolutely no booth or on-field review.

A review of offsides determinations would not ensure the correct call and the delays and disruption to the flow of the game would absolutely outweigh any potential benefits IMO.

[ranny fash]

no way. people get things wrong occasionally, it's part of life, and we all need to learn to deal with that sort of thing.

plus, football is a game, not a business, (despite the efforts of countless club, league, and television executives). make it more sterile and serious, and the result is a sapping of the fun factor.

[Sideline Soccer]

I wrote a couple articles about offsides which I think are interesting.

First, making an offside call is scientifically impossible (http://www.sidelinesoccer.com/making-an-offside-call-is-impossible)! So because of this, I think there could be some sort of change in the rules where a review could be made, but I think they'd have to limit it. For example, one offside review per half or something like that. I think if they allowed for too much of it, it would become more like American Football and we'd never finish a game. Soccer is really about the flow of the game. When there's too many stoppages it can get really irritating to watch. It's irritating enough when there's not enough goals being scored!

Going along with that, what if FIFA made changes to the actual offside rule (http://www.sidelinesoccer.com/should-fifa-change-or-remove-the-offside-rule)? What if they implemented a rule much like hockey? I think it has potential where it would help making the offside call easier for referees. It may also help with increasing the number of goals scored during a game.

[ranny fash]

nah, what needs changing is the rule itself. if a player is on the pitch they ARE affecting play, so they should count as offside. much simpler, and easier.

[PhiloBarca]

I don't think it should happen, but I also think it can be done very quickly/neatly with existing technology. FoxSoccer / SkyNet has the technology that creates a virtual line with the last defender, and there is always a camera on the ball, so a freeze frame that can be used to make a quick judgment from a booth is easily had.

What you would need is a system where the offensive player gets the benefit of the doubt on close calls, and the video review only serves to annul calls that mistakenly rule the offensive player onside when he's off. That way, the flow of the game can be preserved: the whistle only blows when the video review has determined an off-sides. At most, you'll lose 10-15 seconds of game time while continuation of play was allowed, and since it's continuation, it won't feel like the game is stopping and starting.

[law5guy]

I wrote a couple articles about offsides which I think are interesting.

First, making an offside call is scientifically impossible (http://www.sidelinesoccer.com/making-an-offside-call-is-impossible)! So because of this, I think there could be some sort of change in the rules where a review could be made, but I think they'd have to limit it. For example, one offside review per half or something like that. I think if they allowed for too much of it, it would become more like American Football and we'd never finish a game. Soccer is really about the flow of the game. When there's too many stoppages it can get really irritating to watch. It's irritating enough when there's not enough goals being scored!

Going along with that, what if FIFA made changes to the actual offside rule (http://www.sidelinesoccer.com/should-fifa-change-or-remove-the-offside-rule)? What if they implemented a rule much like hockey? I think it has potential where it would help making the offside call easier for referees. It may also help with increasing the number of goals scored during a game.


Too bad that the fine folks at sidelinesoccer haven't read the laws of the game.
"Even with corner kicks, because you’re still considered within the attacking zone, you cannot be called offside."


Per Law11, you cannot be offside on a corner kick.

Go to page 32 here:
http://www.fifa.com/mm/document/affederation/federation/81/42/36/lotg_en.pdf

And read:

There is no offside offence if a player receives the ball directly from:
• a goal kick
• a throw-in
• a corner kick

[NYfan]

Please no.

I might be open to persuasion for chips in the ball and goal to make a real-time determination as to whether the goal line has been crossed, but absolutely no booth or on-field review.

A review of offsides determinations would not ensure the correct call and the delays and disruption to the flow of the game would absolutely outweigh any potential benefits IMO.

Eventually, the technology will exist for players to have chips in their uniforms to determine if a player is offside. I'd rather wait it out until then. Having offside replay review would ruin goal celebrations.

[Sideline Soccer]

Too bad that the fine folks at sidelinesoccer haven't read the laws of the game.
"Even with corner kicks, because you’re still considered within the attacking zone, you cannot be called offside."


Per Law11, you cannot be offside on a corner kick.

Go to page 32 here:
http://www.fifa.com/mm/document/affederation/federation/81/42/36/lotg_en.pdf

And read:

There is no offside offence if a player receives the ball directly from:
• a goal kick
• a throw-in
• a corner kick

Did we say something wrong somewhere?

[RichardL]

nah, what needs changing is the rule itself. if a player is on the pitch they ARE affecting play, so they should count as offside. much simpler, and easier.
Easy to say. Much less easy to appreciate when your team's 20 yard shot into the top corner is disallowed because a player nowhere near the shot becomes technically offside, as used to happen all the time.

The rule was brought in to prevent goal-hanging. What refs and linesman need to do is have the courage to always give the benefit of the doubt to attackers and what other people need to do is stop getting so worked up about goals being given when a player was 3 inches offside. They most probably weren't deliberately 3 inches offside, and the advantage they'll have gained would be negligible.