But to be fair to the referee it was a Premier league footballer against lower league and therefore invariably less- skilled opposition. So obviously a player of greater skill would never ever have to resort to cheating against inferior opponents. So obviously if a Premier League player would never ever resort to such despicable misdirection it could only ever be a penalty.
Modern offsides are designed with the aim of giving every advantage to the defender, while penalty decisions seem designed to give every advantage to the attacker. Surely it should be the other way around?
I'd like to see Wenger's daylight rule introduced for offside. The rule is meant to prevent goal-hanging, not promote microscopic inspection of a line drawn on a TV screen.
And I'd like to see a rule that only an absolutely intentional handball, or absolutely clear and obvious contact from the defeder, can result in a pen. If there's any doubt it shouldn't be given.
I remember, in 87-88, when the Vauxhall Conference trialled no offside from a free kick. It resulted in mass goal hanging in the six yard box, a nightmare for the shorter keepers. More goalmouth action but it didn’t feel right. The FA didn't take it further.
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But to be fair to the referee it was a Premier league footballer against lower league and therefore invariably less- skilled opposition. So obviously a player of greater skill would never ever have to resort to cheating against inferior opponents. So obviously if a Premier League player would never ever resort to such despicable misdirection it could only ever be a penalty.
Modern offsides are designed with the aim of giving every advantage to the defender, while penalty decisions seem designed to give every advantage to the attacker. Surely it should be the other way around?
I'd like to see Wenger's daylight rule introduced for offside. The rule is meant to prevent goal-hanging, not promote microscopic inspection of a line drawn on a TV screen.
And I'd like to see a rule that only an absolutely intentional handball, or absolutely clear and obvious contact from the defeder, can result in a pen. If there's any doubt it shouldn't be given.
A perfect reflection of my own opinion on these matters.
Is it intentional if a defender has their arms raised in the air and the ball hits their arms?
I remember, in 87-88, when the Vauxhall Conference trialled no offside from a free kick. It resulted in mass goal hanging in the six yard box, a nightmare for the shorter keepers. More goalmouth action but it didn’t feel right. The FA didn't take it further.
Is that just a sliver of daylight or not? However you define the offside rule, there will always be very marginal calls.
This is exactly what I was trying to say but got a handful of thumbs downs. Perhaps my choice of words was not correct. Must do better.