Abseitsentscheidungen

Abseitsentscheidungen, often translated as offside decisions, are a crucial and frequently debated aspect of association football (soccer). The offside rule aims to prevent attackers from loitering near the opponent's goal, gaining an unfair advantage. A player is in an offside position if they are nearer to the opponent's goal line than both the ball and the second-to-last opponent at the moment the ball is played or touched by a teammate. Being in an offside position is not an offense in itself; an offense occurs only if the player becomes actively involved in play by interfering with play, interfering with an opponent, or gaining an advantage by being in that position.

The application of the offside rule requires precise judgment by the assistant referee, who raises a flag to signal an offside offense. The referee then makes the final decision. These decisions can be contentious due to the speed of the game and the fine margins involved. Technology like Video Assistant Referee (VAR) has been introduced to help review offside decisions, particularly in cases where goals are disallowed. VAR uses multiple camera angles to determine the exact moment the ball was played and the player's position relative to the defenders. Despite technological aids, offside decisions remain a significant talking point in football, often influencing the outcome of matches.