Arsene Wenger's proposal to overhaul the offside law has faced significant opposition from UEFA and British football associations. The former Arsenal manager, now FIFA's Chief of Global Football Development, has suggested a radical change that would see attackers deemed onside if any part of their body aligns with a defender.
Wenger argues that VAR and semi-automatic offside technology have deprived strikers of the benefit of the doubt in close decisions. His 'daylight' rule would require clear space between attacker and defender for an offside to be called. 'That's why I proposed that as long as any part of your body is on the same line as the defender, you're not offside,' Wenger explained.
According to The Times, the four British associations on the International Football Association Board (IFAB) view the proposal as too drastic and likely to alter elite-level football excessively. UEFA shares this opinion and is expected to propose a compromise: only the torso being beyond a defender would constitute offside, excluding feet, legs, and head.
IFAB voting rules mean each British association holds one vote, while FIFA has four. Any rule change requires six votes to be passed. Despite FIFA President Gianni Infantino's backing—he stated last month that 'in the future the attacker would have to be completely ahead to be considered offside'—Wenger's plans face an uphill battle.
The proposal is currently being tested, with a decision expected within a year from IFAB. Wenger acknowledged, 'In one year, the decision will be made, by the IFAB, not by me.' The outcome remains uncertain as opposition consolidates.
