Major 'Arsene Wenger offside rule change' being considered by IFAB as USMNT legend Alexi Lalas endorses move that would give attackers monumental advantage

The former Arsenal manager, who is currently FIFA's chief of global football development, has suggested that the entire body of the forward should be in front of the last defender to be considered as offside. The current rule states that if any body part that can be scored with is ahead of the last defender, then the player shall be ruled as offside. IFAB are now reportedly mulling over Wenger's suggestion, per the Daily Record, and Lalas has put his weight behind the rule change. He argues that defenders will be forced to further adapt their game if it is implemented.

Lalas while answering a fan about the rule change, wrote on X: "Yes, it simply moves the line that we will argue about. But it does create a new and distinct advantage to the attacker, which I like. It will force the defenders to adjust (drop) in order to truly be goal-side and rely less on the offside trap."

In a simulation graphic, a red line was drawn to determine whether the player was offside or not. Although Lalas backed the rule change, he shared his concern about the thickness of the line and questioned, "How wide is the line?"

The IFAB is considering Wenger's suggestion which aims to eradicate the controversies that have sprung up since the introduction of VAR - which has thus far scrutinised every goal in minute detail. If it is approved by the law-making body then it could come into effect from the 2024-25 season.