Referees Need To Learn Offside Rule As NUFC Denied Goal

 Newcastle United are at the centre of yet another controversial decision this afternoon after Mike Jones (apparently seeking revenge for a bloody nose inflicted by Sissoko in the last game he oversaw) appeared to tell the linesman to rule Cheik Tiote’s goal as offside.

In the 33^rd minute Cheik Tiote put the ball in the back of the net with an awesome strike. The linesman flag stayed down until seconds later, when the referee went for a quiet word at the request of Manchester City players. Low and behold the linesman then flagged Yoan Gouffran (who steered himself out of the way) offside (we think). The decision caused controversy as whilst three Newcastle players were offside none were interfering with play.

Defender Steven Taylor chaperoned Jones off the pitch questioning his decision before he was accosted by manager Alan Pardew who made his views very clear telling Jones “The lines-mans right, you are wrong “ three times over.

Pardew who clearly acknowledged that three players – who were not interfering with play – were offside but is now seeking an answer from the referee as to who he gave the offside against.

His argument has been supported by fans, pundits and players who are all in agreement that the referee got it wrong. Even Joe Hart knew it was a goal and didn't object!

The offside rule was changed back in July to include the following definitions;

 INTERFERING’ – what the law used to say

 “interfering with play” means playing or touching the ball passed or touched by a team-mate.

 “interfering with an opponent” means preventing an opponent from playing or being able to play the ball by clearly obstructing the opponent’s line of vision or movement or making a gesture or movement which, in the opinion of the referee, deceives or distracts an opponent.  

 INTERFERING – what the law now says

 “interfering with play” means playing or touching the ball passed or touched by a team-mate.

 “interfering with an opponent” means preventing an opponent from playing or being able to play the ball by clearly obstructing the opponent’s line of vision or movement or challenging an opponent for the ball.   

 GAINING AN ADVANTAGE – what the law used to say

 “Gaining an advantage by being in that position” means playing a ball that rebounds to him off a goal post or the crossbar having been in an offside position or playing a ball that rebounds to him off an opponent having been in an offside position.

 GAINING AN ADVANTAGE - what the law now says

 “Gaining an advantage by being in that position” means playing a ball…

1. That rebounds or is deflected to him off the goal post, crossbar or an opponent having been in an offside position.
   
2. That rebounds, is deflected or is played to him from a deliberate save by an opponent having been in an offside position. 
3. A player in an offside position receiving the ball from an opponent, who deliberately plays the ball (except from a deliberate save), is not considered to have gained an advantage.

Source: Daily Mail http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2352258/Offside-rule-changed-FIFA--confusion-Premier-League.html