Wenger Offside Law Faces Strong Resistance from UEFA and British FAs

Arsene Wenger’s push for a radical overhaul of football’s offside rule has suffered a major setback, with UEFA and the British football associations moving firmly against the proposal. The former Arsenal manager’s idea, designed to benefit attackers and reduce marginal VAR calls, is now facing serious institutional opposition despite ongoing trials.

Wenger, now FIFA’s chief of global football development, has argued that the current interpretation of offside has stripped attackers of natural advantage. His proposal would allow a player to be onside if any part of their body is level with the last outfield defender, a change he believes would lead to more goals and fewer controversial decisions.

The suggestion has already sparked widespread debate across the game, with FIFA president Gianni Infantino previously indicating openness to the concept. However, according to reports, UEFA and the British FAs consider the proposal too extreme, fearing it would fundamentally alter defensive structures and the balance of the sport.

The context for Wenger’s proposal dates back to changes made after the 1990 World Cup in Italy, a tournament remembered for its low scoring. At the time, football authorities ruled that attackers level with defenders should be considered onside. Wenger argues that VAR has since eroded that principle, turning fractions into decisive calls against attackers.

Trials of the so called daylight rule have taken place in limited competitions, but scepticism remains high. Officials within UEFA and the British associations are unconvinced by the available data and believe the current evidence does not justify such a dramatic shift in interpretation.

Concerns centre on how the change could affect match dynamics. Defensive lines could be forced much deeper, potentially reducing pressing and altering tactical identity across leagues. Some fear matches would become unbalanced, while others question whether football actually needs more goals to remain entertaining.

Key incidents from the trials have done little to settle the debate. Critics argue that marginal calls would not disappear entirely and that new forms of controversy could emerge, particularly around body positioning and interpretation.

There is also disagreement over potential compromises. One alternative being discussed would judge offside only by the torso, excluding feet, legs, and head from measurement. This would differ sharply from Wenger’s vision, which favours attackers unless there is clear daylight between them and the defender.

As the second phase of discussions approaches, momentum appears to be slowing. Several senior figures have called for extensive testing across different competitions before any permanent decision is made, warning that tactical consequences could be profound.

Attention now turns to the International Football Association Board, which is expected to review whether further trials should be authorised. FIFA holds four votes, while the British FAs control four collectively, meaning any proposal requires broad consensus.

For now, Wenger’s offside revolution remains uncertain. With UEFA and the British associations firmly opposed, the former Arsenal boss faces a significant battle to convince football’s lawmakers that his vision will improve the game rather than change it beyond recognition.