Have you all seen the highlights or replay of the Arsenal v Charlton match? I was wondering you opinion of the goals by the Gunners. Was Pires offside? Was Henry? From looking at replays, I think it is very clear that Pires was offside. I may not understand the newest interpretation of the rule, but when an offensive player is that close to the goal, I don't see how he can be considered passive. In the case of Henry, I really can't tell. Under the old interpretation I believe he would have been called offside. It seems clear that his teammate was intending the pass for him, so how is he passive. I certainly can understand Curbs anger. Especially when what little I have seen of the replay so far showed officials calling Addicks offside incorrectly.
I have not seen the highlights. Usually the offsides negates itself over the run of a season. There are usually enough calls that go for a team as go against it. That is the situiation with human officials. I officiate and can honestly say that I have made some terrible calls. I have also made some very good one, at least I think so. The offsides call is very difficult to make, and must be done in a very short period of time, nothing is worse than a very late flag. If Pires was offsides, there is not a whole lot that can be done about it now. I seem to remeber a few matches ago that Di Canio was really close, depending on whose side you rooted for.
I agree it is a difficult rule to call. I admire you not only for being a referee, but admitting you make some mistakes. You are wise. The problem, though, seems to be the "re-interpretation" of the offsides rule that happened sometime after the first of the calendar year. It was "re-interpreted" by FIFA. Apparently this was done to bring in more goals and it has. And so far has seemed to aid only the "big" clubs in the EPL. And I am only speaking of games in the EPL. Other leagues are dealing with it too, but I don't really watch much besides the EPL. So, what was being called offsides in November, is not being called offsides in March. It is confusing to the point it almost seems the referees are waiting and waiting and waiting before making a call and in some cases not calling the offsides. Sometimes I wish FIFA would just keep their mouths shut. If it ain't broke, don't fix it. Sometimes it seems FIFA is changing or "re-interpreting" rules to make headlines and keep their shaky control on the international game. Okay, I blew that steam off. Thanks for putting up with this thread.
I didn't seem to think anything was wrong on either of the goals. Arsenal just moves the ball so fast and so precise that it just makes their opponents look like they are standing still. I thought Charlton defended well and that even Arsenal's defense would not have stopped Arsenal's offense. They just fill space so fast and pick each other out with the most perfectly weighted passes even at that pace. It is just mindboggling.
kev, I agree that Arsenal's offense is amazing. Feel for the ball and fell for each other. But I have looked at the Pires goal about six times so far and he still looks offside to me. It's close. But he is ahead of the ball a bit. After looking at Henry's goal again, he was definitely not offsides. The far defender, who was marking the passing player, keeps Henry onside.
Part of the problem is the camera angles at Highbury. The main camera is closer to the pitch and doesn't look down upon the pitch as much either. It can make onside players look offside. I've only seen the highlights once and did watch the replay on Tuesday night. I guess I didn't look that closely at it. The commentator didn't say anything so I assumed Pires was okay. Oh well...
You haven't got the hang of this Charlton supporter thing yet have you? If a player scores a goal against Charlton he is, by definition, offside. Unlike Charlton who have never had a player in an offside position in their history.
addickfan, Your right, I haven't been a fan long enough. Further evidence is that I haven't the urge to stand the entire time I listen or watch a match.