Fifa’s radical proposal to overhaul the offside law is set to undergo trials in the Canadian Premier League this weekend, despite failing to garner support from European football officials.
Championed by former Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger, Fifa’s chief of global football development, the controversial “daylight offside” concept aims to significantly favour attacking play.
Under the proposed rule, an attacker would be deemed onside if any part of their body capable of scoring a goal is level with the relevant defender.
An offside call would only be made when there is clear space, or “daylight”, between the attacker and defender.
This marks a stark departure from the current interpretation, where top-tier matches often see goals disallowed for the most marginal of infringements, derisively labelled “armpit” or “toenail” offsides by frustrated fans.
The Canadian trials, commencing on Saturday, are seen as a crucial step in assessing the rule’s viability.
James Johnson, the Canadian league commissioner, stated: “This is about positioning the Canadian Premier League at the forefront of innovation and contributing meaningfully to the global evolution of the game.”
However, the “daylight offside” proposal has faced considerable backlash.
Critics argue it grants too great an advantage to forwards, potentially forcing teams into more cautious, deeper defensive lines.
Jamie Carragher, the former England and Liverpool defender now a CBS and Sky Sports pundit, warned in 2024 that it “will be terrible for the game” and could lead to more negative tactics rather than increased goal-scoring.
For Wenger’s vision to become enshrined in The Laws of The Game, it requires approval from at least two of the four British football federations, who sit alongside Fifa officials on the annual IFAB panel.
Such support has yet to materialise, with a potential compromise already being discussed: an attacker would only be offside if their torso is beyond the defender.
