Arsene Wenger's Proposed Offside Rule Change Faces Backlash from UEFA and FA
Former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger's ambitious plans to revolutionize the offside rule in football are meeting resistance from UEFA and the British Football Associations. Despite Wenger's arguments for more goals and clarity in decision-making, governing bodies are cautious about the potential impact of such radical changes.

Former Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has hit a setback in plans to push through a new offside revolution. The 76-year-old has proposed a radical change to current rules which would benefit attackers but is now facing opposition from both UEFA and the British FAs. The governing bodies believe Wenger's plans are "too drastic" and would have too much of an impact on how the game is currently played.Wenger has called for change to the current offside rule and wants to amend the rules so players are onside if any part of their body is in line with the last outfield defender. The former Arsenal man has claimed that the change would end marginal decisions and see more goals scored. He told beIN Sports: "It was in 1990 after the World Cup in Italy when there were no goals scored. We decided that there is no offside any more when you are on the same line of the defender. In case of doubt, the doubt benefits the striker. That means when there's a fraction, the striker did get the advantage. With VAR this advantage disappeared and for many people it's frustrating. That's why I proposed that as long as any part of your body is on the same line as the defender, you're not offside. We are experimenting with it now. In one year, the decision will be made, by the IFAB, not by me." Wenger's idea has been the topic of much discussion and trials have taken place. FIFA president Gianni Infantino hinted recently the plan could get the green light but it seems that British FAs and UEFA hold a different view. According to The Times, the plans are thought to be "too drastic" and the fear is they would create "huge change." A compromise could be suggested which would see players deemed offside "if part of their torso is ahead of the defender, but their feet, legs and head would not be measured." This would be different to Wenger's approach that deems attackers to be onside unless there is clear daylight between them and the defender.Looking for smarter football bets? Get expert previews, data-driven predictions & winning insights with GOAL Tips on Telegram. Join our growing community now!FIFA have been warned not to "ruin the game" by making radical changes such as those currently proposed by Wenger. A source told The Times: "Is anyone saying there are not enough goals in football? We have to be very careful not to ruin the game. We have not seen any data at all from the limited trials that have taken place of the daylight rule."Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reportingThere have also been calls for Wenger's Law to undergo further testing before any more discussions over its potential implementation take place. CONCACAF president and FIFA vice-president Victor Montagliani told The Times: “They have done one test and I don’t think the results of that were great. If we want to change the offside rule, it needs to be thoroughly tested because it could significantly change a game in terms of tactics. Are teams just going to bunker down because they can’t play a high line? Or is it going to mean a lot more goals? Maybe I’m an old-school guy but you don’t want a striker popping six goals in the Manchester derby when previously three quarters of his body would have been offside. Let’s really study it before we make a decision."FIFA want new trials of the Wenger Law to be authorised next month by the IFAB which could subsequently lead to the plan being implemented. British FAs and UEFA look set to oppose the plans as things stand, meaning it may not go ahead. Any proposal needs six votes to go through at the meeting, FIFA has four votes but the the British FAs all have one each.
Wenger's Vision for Offside Rule Change
Arsene Wenger has advocated for a significant alteration to the offside rule, suggesting that players should be considered onside if any part of their body is level with the last outfield defender. Citing frustrations around close offside calls and the disappearance of striker advantages due to VAR, Wenger aims to bring back an element of doubt that favors attackers.
Mixed Responses to Wenger's Proposal
While FIFA President Gianni Infantino hinted at potential support for Wenger's concept, the attitudes of UEFA and the British FAs present a contrasting view. Concerns have been raised about the magnitude of the proposed changes and the potential disruption to the current dynamics of the game.
Calls for Caution and Further Testing
Amid debates over Wenger's Offside Law, voices within the football community advocate for prudence and thorough testing before any definitive decisions are made. CONCACAF president Victor Montagliani emphasizes the need for comprehensive trials to gauge the rule's influence on tactics, team strategies, and goal-scoring dynamics.
Uncertain Future for Wenger's Offside Revolution
As FIFA aims to push for new trials of Wenger's proposal, the opposition from UEFA and British FAs casts doubt on its potential realization. The delicate balance between innovation and preserving the essence of the game remains a central point of contention in the ongoing discussions surrounding the offside rule.





