SOCCER
UEFA consider changing the offside rule after Mbappé's controversial goal against Spain
The debate caused by Kylian Mbappé's winner in the Nations League final, a legal goal according to the rule book, will be studied by UEFA.
The decision to allow Kylian Mbappé's winner against Spain in the recent Nations League final cannot be changed but the debate caused by the goal could have consequences for football in the future. UEFA, Diario AS understands, have decided to look into making changes to the offside rule in the wake of Mbappé's goal, which handed France victory and the trophy.
Mbappé's goal was legal under current offside rules
Roberto Rosetti, president of UEFA's Referees Committee believes that. "[Nations League final referee] Anthony Taylor make the right decision based on the existing rules and his official interpretation of it" because "the player deliberately interfered by making contact with the ball while the opponent was not interfering with play”.
However, Rosetti also admitted, "This case shows us that the current interpretation of the law appears to be in conflict with the spirit of the law itself, which is to prevent any player from taking advantage from their offside position". He added, "UEFA’s stance is that there are ways to improve the wording to bring it into line with the aim of the offside law and of the spirit of the game".
He concluded that proposed law modifications would be discussed at the next annual business meeting of the International Football Association Board (IFAB) on 25 November.
On 27 October, IFAB panel members (Rosetti, representing UEFA, is one of them) will meet review a number of proposals regarding modifications to the laws of the game. Among them will the offside rule, the handball rule and the recent change which states that a goalkeeper must have at least part of one foot on, or in line with, the goal line when a penalty kick is taken. Th4e final decision to whether the offside rule is changed or not will be made in March. Another issue to be discussed will be whether to maintain five substitutions or revert back to three; also whether to approve minimal use of VAR in less prominent competitions such as the women's league in Spain.