Arsene Wenger: Former Arsenal boss proposes change to offside rule after VAR effect

Arsene Wenger has proposed a change to the offside rule that would mean attackers are onside if any part of their body is in line with the last outfield defender.

Wenger, head of global development at world governing body Fifa, says it would restore an advantage to the attacker that many feel was eroded by the introduction of the video assistant referee (VAR).

Players are currently ruled offside if any part of the body, apart from hands and arms, is beyond the last defender.

Former Arsenal manager Wenger compared the suggested change to a similar move taken after the 1990 World Cup.

At Italia 90 and prior to that tournament, a player was considered offside if he was level with the last defender before the goalkeeper, which resulted in the lowest average goals per game in World Cup history.

“It was in 1990 after the World Cup in Italy when there were no goals scored,” Wenger told Bein Sports, recalling the rule change.

“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.”

Trials of the system have already taken place in Italian youth football, and Wenger says further trials will happen before a final decision, which could come in 2026.

Any change to the offside rule rests with the sport’s law-makers, the International Football Association Board (Ifab).