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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Sport

You are the Ref No344: Jürgen Klopp

Click to enlarge, and debate the strip below the line.

Keith Hackett's verdict

1) A substitute has to enter the field of play at the halfway line, with your permission, for the substitution to have been properly completed. But as the touchline counts as part of the field, he technically has entered the field here, so has done nothing wrong. The substitution is valid, the throw is valid, and you should play on. Richard Garrad wins the shirt.
2) No goal. The offside is judged from the moment the ball was played, not when the attacker receives it. So, on the basis that the player was in an offside position when it was punted upfield – even if he was temporarily behind the touchline – he becomes actively offside as soon as he plays the ball. Restart play with an indirect free-kick from the touchline where he entered the field. Thanks to Roger Holtstan.
3) To penalise a team for a goalkeeper handling a pass it has to be a deliberate action – and this was clearly never intended as a deliberate backpass. There's no offence here. Tell the attackers to cool down, explain the law if necessary, and allow play to continue. Thanks to Martyn Simmons.

You are the Ref book

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Competition: win a T-shirt of your choice

For a chance to win a Philosophy Football T-shirt of your choice from the Guardian sport range send us your questions for You are the Ref to you.are.the.ref@observer.co.uk. The best scenario used in each new strip wins a T-shirt; Terms apply. For more on You are the Ref's history, click here.

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