Football offside rule changed to reduce confusion

In a change to take effect from July 1, the International Football Association Board decided on Saturday to clear up when exactly attackers are influencing play.

The change states that an attacker should be considered offside when "gaining an advantage by being in that position" in situations that will now include receiving the ball from a rebound or deflection from the goal frame or a player in the defending team attempting a tackle, block or save.

IFAB, which comprises officials from FIFA and the four British football associations, also attempted to safeguard its future by opening up its decision-making process.

With the organization of world football undergoing an overhaul under the wake of a series of corruption scandals, there were calls for the British to cede their influence on IFAB, which has been meeting since 1886.

But at the annual IFAB meeting in Edinburgh, FIFA President Sepp Blatter said "this institution will go on."

"I am sure it will not be a victim of the reform of FIFA," Blatter added.

FIFA is looking to take greater control of IFAB by establishing a new unit to run the body while stressing that the "composition will remain unchanged."

IFAB has agreed, however, to consult more by establishing a technical panel featuring refereeing experts and a football panel containing around 20 former players and coaches as well as current coaches.

"The IFAB has agreed that greater levels of consultation are required to provide greater transparency and opportunities for other associations and stakeholders to contribute with ideas and initiatives to benefit the game," Scottish Football Association chief executive Stewart Regan said. "This will need to be approved by FIFA Congress in May."