Football panel to consider changing offside law

FIFA said Monday the panel, known as IFAB, will also examine closing a loophole regarding uncontested dropped balls after a controversial goal scored by Shakhtar Donetsk against Nordsjaelland in the Champions League in November.

A progress report on introducing goal-line technology before the 2014 World Cup will be submitted when the rules body meets March 1-2 in Edinburgh, Scotland. The group comprises officials from FIFA and the four British football associations.

The main proposal comes from FIFA's refereeing department to clarify the interpretation of rules regarding attackers standing in an offside position.

Proposals state that an attacker should be considered offside when "gaining an advantage by being in that position." This would 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.

However, an attacker should be allowed to continue play when receiving a deliberate pass, such as a backpass, from the defending team.