The opening match of the 2010 FIFA World Cup is underway at the Soccer City Stadium, Johannesburg. A offside call in the first half has caused lot of questions to the football fans. I would like to explain to you why the the offside call was correct…

The goal ruled offside was scored by Mexico’s Vela. The decision taken by the referee was absolutely correct!

The FIFA rule reads as follows: “A player is in an offside position if he is nearer to his opponents’ goal line than both the ball and the second-last opponent.

The FIFA Rule on OFFSIDE POSITIONS:

It is not an offense in itself to be in an offside position.

A player is in an offside position if:
• he is nearer to his opponents’ goal line than both the ball and the second-last opponent

A player is not in an offside position if:
• he is in his own half of the fi eld of play or
• he is level with the second-last opponent or
• he is level with the last two opponents

Offence
A player in an offside position is only penalised if, at the moment the ball touches or is played by one of his team, he is, in the opinion of the referee, involved in active play by:

• interfering with play or
• interfering with an opponent or
• gaining an advantage by being in that position

No offence
There is no offside offence if a player receives the ball directly from:

• a goal kick
• a throw-in
• a corner kick

Infringements and sanctions
In the event of an offside offence, the referee awards an indirect free kick to the opposing team to be taken from the place where the infringement occurred.