The new offside rule

The new offside rule

There have been quite a few controversial offside goals through the years, with some leading to champions being undone to teams getting relegated.

To put all these things to bed, and make it more simpler for the referees the players will be punished if they clearly attempt to play a ball close to them when their actions have an impact on an opponent’s ability to play the ball.

At first glance, the reworking of the rule appears confusing but Gallagher, a Premier League referee for 15 years until he retired in 2007, thinks it makes the game more straightforward.

He told Sky Sports News HQ: “A player has got to make an obvious action and clearly impact on their opponent’s ability to clear the ball.

“I actually think it will simplify it. When you see the season unfold on Saturday, you’ll think that it’s one thing on paper and another in practice.

“Don’t forget the managers and coaches have had referees visiting them throughout pre-season to go through clips and it won’t be a shock to them.

“When this was issued in the summer, referees took this into their games so hopefully they will be as up to speed as the players.”