Buffon and Panucci collided to create the situation in the first place. It’s entirely their fault. The only reason this is controversial is because the rule was not widely understood by the common fan (nor apparently the ESPN commentators).

However, this scenario is routinely covered in training for referees and line judges. Typically it’s presented as a defender rushing off the field to “create” an offside, but either way, it’s always emphasized that a player who has left the field of play, but does not need the referee’s permission to return is considered in any offside decisions.

Why the player has left the pitch is irrelevant. As long as they are free to return to play at any point without the referee’s position, they need to be considered in any offside decisions, whether an attacker or a defender.

Note: they must be CONSIDERED in any offside decisions. It’s not automatic. This situation is complicated when it is an attacking player, because being in a offside position is NOT, by itself an offense.

The laws of the game state that “A player in an offside position is only penalised if, at the moment the ball touches or is played by one of his team, he is, in the opinion of the referee, involved in active play by:
interfering with play, interfering with an opponent, or gaining an advantage by being in that position.”

A attacking player off the pitch may be judged not to be interfering with play, interfering with an opponent, or gaining an advantage by being in that position, and thus not penalized for being offside.

The crew yesterday made the correct call and should be commended for their efforts.

FUCKING

OFFSIDE

FOR

CHRIST’S

SAKE

“A defender who leaves the field during the course of play and does not immediately return must still be considered in determining where the second to last defender is for the purpose of judging which attackers are in an offside position. Such a defender is considered to be on the touch line or goal line closest to his or her off-field position. A defender who leaves the field with the referee’s permission (and who thus requires the referee’s permission to return) is not included in determining offside position.”

Its crystal clear right there. It wasn’t offside. Whether van Nistelrooy wasnt sure about the rule or not has nothing to do with whether the goal should count or not, Fabio. The rules state clearly that it should count. There you go.

i mean common, right after the goal RvN wasnt even sure if he should be celebrating or not?!?!?!?
he was confused for half the time!!!!

no goal, the got away with it and it changed the whole tempo of the game. but holland still deserved to win. imagine, they did all that WITHOUT robben…scary

In all honesty, start Cassano and Toni and sub Toni later on for ADP, put in DDR and go back to 4 mid, we need DDR to help out the sluggish CD cause thats where were hurting the most right now.

oh, and Buffon is god.

However, under new laws this is only classified as an active position if the player is standing off the field of play by choice. This situation certainly did not apply to Panucci, who was on the ground in clear pain following a collision with Gigi Buffon.”

If that’s the rule, its a terrible one. I can just see players suddenly running of the end of the field injured or with cramps as a quick offsides trap. OH BUT I’M HURT REFEREE. i believe the goal should stand.