Arsene Wenger has proposed a radical new offside rule which would see attackers called onside if any part of their body is in line with a defender.
The former Arsenal boss, 75, who now works as FIFA’s head of global football development, hit out at the impact of ‘frustrating’ VAR on offside calls and said the new law needs to return the ‘advantage’ to attackers.
It is the latest of a raft of controversial changes, including a biennial World Cup, suggested by the invincibles manager.
Speaking on beIN Sports, Wenger said: ‘In 1990 we decided that [there is] no offside anymore when you are on the same line [as the defender].
‘In case of doubt the doubt benefits the striker. That means when there’s a fraction – the striker could get the advantage.
‘With VAR this advantage disappeared… It’s frustrating.
Former Arsenal boss and invincible winner Arsene Wenger has proposed a new offside rule
Mikel Merino’s equaliser against PSG was eventually ruled out after a lengthy wait for VAR
The radical proposal suggested by Wenger will see the advantage returned to the attacker
‘Thats why I propose that as long as any part of your body is on the same line as the defender then you are not offside.’
The Frenchman said a decision would be made next year by the International Football Association Board.
Wenger has previously argued for the implentation of the ‘daylight’ principle to offsides, which would see players called onside if any part of their body that can score a goal is behind or level with the relevant defender.
The suggestion was rubbished by Jamie Carragher, who said that the alteration would lead to a seismic shift in the way teams are forced to defend and result in managers resolving to set their sides up more negatively.
‘This will be terrible for the game as teams will defend completely differently than we see now.’ The former Liverpool defender wrote on X. ‘Lots of lows blocks & teams being negative.
‘How would you defend a set piece!! We don’t need more advantage for the attacker, the game is seeing more goals scored than ever!!!!’
Meanwhile, Wenger also claimed that Manchester United or Tottenham should not be allowed to compete in the Champions League next season even if they win the Europa League.
United and Spurs are set to meet in the final in Bilbao on May 21 after securing aggregate leads heading into this week’s semi-final second leg ties.
Semi-automated offside technology was first introduced to the Premier League last month
UEFA changed its rules in 2014 to allow the winners of the Europa League to qualify for the Champions League, but Wenger believes this is ‘not right’.
‘No. They should qualify automatically for the Europa League but not necessarily for the Champions League,’ he said.
Especially when you’re in the Premier League where already five teams qualify.
‘I think it’s something [for UEFA] to think about and to review.
‘On the other hand people will tell you that to keep the Europa League focused, interesting and motivated you need to give them that prize [Champions League].’
