A goal was counted for the first time according to the experimental offside rule known as "clear offside" in an official match last Saturday when Alejandro Diaz, forward for Pacific FC, scored in the match which ended in a 2-2 draw with Halifax Wanderers in the Canadian Premier League.
This goal would have been invalidated under the traditional laws of the game issued by the International Football Association Board, but was counted as part of the trial being conducted by the Canadian Premier League in collaboration with FIFA (International Federation of Association Football).
The Canadian Premier League is testing this rule this season as part of efforts to reduce marginal offside decisions and encourage offensive play.
Under this system, an attacker is not considered offside unless there is a "clear distance" between him and the second-last defender, rather than being deemed offside for just a slight advance.
This new rule, which has long been advocated by former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger in his capacity as head of global football development at FIFA, is being evaluated in Canada as a potential change to the offside law.
Diaz's goal was the first practical application of this rule in an official match, providing a glimpse of its impact on attacking and defensive positioning.
The Canadian Premier League, which launched the trial earlier this month, has provided FIFA with a professional testing ground for the new rule as the international body considers whether to expand its use.
