The New EPL Offside Rule and You
- Aug 18, 2015
- 2 min read
During the pre-season, Premier League officials introduced an alteration to the offside rule that would see many goals disallowed, but in the long run make officiating much simpler for the men in the middle. The rule stipulates that if a player in an offside position makes a play for the ball, even if he doesn't directly touch the ball or influence it's path, the player would be deemed offside. A prime example of this took place this morning in Liverpool's 1-0 win over newcomers AFC Bournemouth.
Christian Benteke opened his Liverpool account with a tap in at the back post but it was Philipe Coutinho who played the most vital role in the build up to the play. After Liverpool's new captain (and Stevie G replacement) whipped the ball into the box, Coutinho was seen to be in an offside position and motioned towards the ball without making contact with it. Naturally this meant that Bournemouth goalkeeper Artur Boruc reacted as such and in doing so ensured he wasn't in position to have a chance at saving Benteke's tap-in.
This should've been an instance where the the rule was enforced but all officials present failed to make the call. If Coutinho didn't make a play for the ball at all, it would have been fine. But since he threw off Boruc and thus gave Benteke an unfair advantage, the call should have been made.
Bournemouth are yet to get off the mark in the Premier League and are yet to score a goal in their opening two games, but it must be said that they are certainly impressing opposing teams with their fast-paced style of play. It's looking likely that they'll end up being the Burnley of the current season; playing entertaining football but failing to score goals and secure points. Here's to a enjoyable season.
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