Overview
- Pacific FC forward Alejandro Diaz scored under the experimental offside interpretation on Saturday in a 2-2 draw at Halifax, a finish that standard IFAB rules would have disallowed.
- Under the daylight standard, an attacker is only offside when there is a clear gap between them and the second-last defender, so any part of a scoring body being level keeps the play onside.
- The CPL, the first top-flight league to run this test after youth trials in Italy and the Netherlands, does not use VAR, so referees applied the interpretation in real time.
- FIFA, with Arsène Wenger championing the change, is partnering on the pilot, and season data will go to IFAB for a year-end decision on whether to pursue a law change.
- Supporters say it reduces hairline calls and encourages attacking play, while critics argue it favors forwards and could force defenses to drop deeper.