A change to the offside rule for the upcoming season is expected to lead to more disallowed goals and more anguish for fans.
The new tweak, effective in both the Premier League and all three divisions of the Football League, dictates that if a player makes a move towards the ball while in an offside position - even if they don't touch it - then they will be ruled offside.
This would mean that if one player took a shot on goal and another stuck out a leg, the goal would be disallowed even if that second player made no contact whatsoever with the ball.
The amendment, which has flown somewhat under the radar in the off-season, is designed to help goalkeepers and clear up the confusion that reigned in February when Juan Mata's free kick curled its way beyond everyone and into the corner of the net against Stoke City.
United man Marcos Rojo was in an offside position when he attempted to head the ball into the opposite corner, thus forcing Asmir Begovic to delay his dive, but was not flagged by the officials. In the same situation next season, Mata's goal would be chalked off due to Rojo's intervention - even though he didn't make contact.
The new tweak, effective in both the Premier League and all three divisions of the Football League, dictates that if a player makes a move towards the ball while in an offside position - even if they don't touch it - then they will be ruled offside.
This would mean that if one player took a shot on goal and another stuck out a leg, the goal would be disallowed even if that second player made no contact whatsoever with the ball.
The amendment, which has flown somewhat under the radar in the off-season, is designed to help goalkeepers and clear up the confusion that reigned in February when Juan Mata's free kick curled its way beyond everyone and into the corner of the net against Stoke City.
United man Marcos Rojo was in an offside position when he attempted to head the ball into the opposite corner, thus forcing Asmir Begovic to delay his dive, but was not flagged by the officials. In the same situation next season, Mata's goal would be chalked off due to Rojo's intervention - even though he didn't make contact.


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