Offside decisions are tough calls for linesmen

Soccer folklore has it that, to show off their impressive knowledge of the game, men sit at tables and use salt and pepper pots to carefully explain the offside rule to women. The truth is most women who are interested in the game know more about the offside rule than most men, plus they can do a better job at exhibiting their seasoned understanding without having to resort to bland seasoning tableware dynamics.

For instance, assistant referee or lineswoman Sian Massey understands the rule inside out and applies her knowledge with aplomb every week in the English Premier League.

Also women players, compared with their male counterparts, do not moan as much about offside decisions. Male central defenders, in particular, complain vehemently about what they perceive to be poor decisions by linesmen.

A classic example of a central defender who makes an erroneous judgment call based on missing information about a correct offside decision was seen during the second goal in last week's 3-0 win by Kitchee against Churchill Brothers in the AFC Cup.

As the goal was scored Churchill Brothers captain and centre back Ravanan Dharmaraj was visibly furious with the linesman for not calling offside. From the middle of the park Dharmaraj was looking right at the linesman and in between them was Kitchee striker Jorge Tarres Paramo, who was clearly in an advanced attacking position when the ball was played forward to him. So from Dharmaraj's field of view, Paramo was blatantly offside.

However, from the touch line the linesman could see behind Dharmaraj and therefore had a view along the whole width of the field. It was obvious Churchill Brothers right back Denzil Michael Franco had lagged behind the offside line set by Dharmaraj and had played his opponent onside.

Australian referee Chris Beath had to calm down an irate Dharmaraj and tell him his right back was at fault for the second goal.