[Saba Sports News] According to UK media reports, FIFA’s Chief of Global Football Development, Arsène Wenger, faces strong opposition from various English football associations and UEFA regarding a proposed reform of the offside rule. According to Wenger’s proposal, an attacking player would only be ruled offside if there is a clear “light gap” or complete separation between any part of their body and that of the defensive player.
However, sources reveal that the four British football associations, which share a seat in the International Football Association Board with FIFA, believe the concept of a “light gap” is too radical and would have a significant impact on the way high-level matches are played, potentially forcing defenders to retreat considerably.
It is noteworthy that the British associations secured UEFA’s support after consulting with its senior officials last week. They are expected to propose a compromise: an attacking player would only be considered offside if any part of their torso is ahead of the defending player, while the feet, legs, and head would not be included in the measurement.
Under Wenger’s “light gap” rule, unless there is a clear gap between any part of the attacking player’s body and that of the defending player, the attacking player would be deemed onside. Critics point out that this could result in a distance difference of up to two meters compared to current regulations. The existing rule states that as long as any part of the attacking player’s body that can play the ball is ahead of the last defending player, they are considered offside.