First 'daylight' offside goal given as Wenger rule spices up Canadian Premier League

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Martin Macdonald | Writer

Content writer covering football, formula 1 and movies

In controversial fashion, the first-ever 'daylight offside' goal has been scored in the Canadian Premier League.

At the end of March, it was confirmed that the new rule, championed by former Arsenal boss and current FIFA official Arsene Wenger, would be trialled in the top-flight in Canada with the new season which started on 4 April.

Within the 'daylight offside' rule, there needs to be a clear gap between the defender and attacker in order for the latter to be deemed offside. This means that even if a small section of the attacker's body is in line with the defender, they will remain onside.

The specific body part that is in line with the defender needs to be one which can be used to score a goal, so if a hand or arm is in line with the defender, that will be called as offside.

Detractors believe it gives far too big an advantage to attackers and that was certainly the case this past weekend when Pacific FC forward Alejandro Diaz scored in a 2-2 draw with Halifax Wanderers.

In the 20th minute, Diaz opened the scoring when he held his position at the back post and latched on to a save from the goalkeeper to fire a strike over the line.

Under the current laws in every other country, Diaz would have been flagged as offside but there was not complete 'daylight' between him and the last defender on this occasion so the goal stood.

The new rule is being tested as officials want to see attacking play rewarded rather than penalised due to the very marginal offsides that have impacted the game due to the emergence of VAR.

Wenger, who is FIFA's Chief of Global Football Development, first proposed the law in 2020.

When the trial in the CPL was first announced, he said: “This is an important pilot.

“By testing this new interpretation in a professional competition, we can better understand its impact, including in terms of improving clarity and the flow of the game and promoting attacking play. We look forward to analysing the results of the trial phase.

Eyes on Canada

The Canadian Premier League is hoping to become more mainstream, akin to to Major League Soccer in the United States. Officials hope the adoption of the controversial new offside rule will put the CPL into the worldwide football consciousness.

The CPL's CEO, James Johnson, said: "It's a league that is still young, but it's maturing very quickly.

"We like to do things that are different. We want to create some debates and also make sure the CPL is at the heart of a global football conversation, because we're innovative and that's how we want to be seen.

"We want to contribute to world football. And when you have someone like Arsene Wenger, who's leading football discussions, we want to support that.

"And so if we can play a part we think it won't only be good for Canadian soccer, but also for world football, then I am all for it."

Though the trial has been in place for a few weeks now, Diaz's goal is the first in a match that has benefited from the new ruling.

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