Jamie Carragher has fumed over one news that one of the most controversial and significant rule changes in football history is a step closer.
In his position as FIFA's chief of global football development, former Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is planning a major overhaul of the offside rule and has been plotting it for quite some time.
Back in 2020, the Frenchman explained his plans and said: “There is room to change the rule and not say that a part of a player’s nose is offside, so you are offside because you can score with that. Instead, you will be not offside if any part of the body that can score a goal is in line with the last defender, even if other parts of the attacker’s body are in front.
Advert
“That will sort it out and you will no longer have decisions about millimetres and a fraction of the attacker being in front of the defensive line.”
We've already seen semi-automated offsides introduced in both the World Cup and Champions League, but The Times say Wenger will move forward with the "daylight" change.
After tests in Sweden, Italy, and the Netherlands, it is set to be trialled in competitions that use VAR in the next phase.
Advert
It's believed the alteration will bring a significant advantage to attackers and David Dein, former Arsenal and FA vice-chairman, gave his seal of approval at the FIFA Congress in Bangkok.
However, Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher is not a fan whatsoever, branding it "terrible" and claiming it will result in negative approaches from teams.
Taking to X, he wrote: "This will be terrible for the game as teams will defend completely differently than we see now. Lots of lows blocks & teams being negative. How would you defend a set piece!!
Advert
"We don’t need more advantage for the attacker, the game is seeing more goals scored than ever!!!!"
Luis Figo, now head of UEFA’s Football Board, is reportedly not completely convinced about the change.
Featured Image Credit: GettyTopics: Jamie Carragher, Arsene Wenger
Josh Lawless