Arsène Wenger’s experimental “daylight” offside rule is unlikely to be extended, following limited support during the International Football Association Board’s (IFAB) assessment panels on Tuesday.
Under the trial, a player is considered onside if any part of their body is level with the second-last opponent. The experiment has been in effect across the Canadian Premier League (CPL) throughout the year.
The CPL’s regular season concluded on Sunday, producing mixed outcomes.
IFAB’s football and technical panels—comprising former players, coaches, and referees—were informed that the trial resulted in a 54% decrease in offside calls and 13 additional goals across 112 matches.
However, the change also caused defensive lines to drop back by approximately three metres over the course of the season.
The league also experimented with Football Video Support, a VAR variant permitting coaches to challenge decisions twice per match.
This mechanism helped mitigate the trial’s impact—an option that would not be feasible in most other leagues.
The most significant effects were observed on set-pieces, where defenses had to adjust to the attacking advantage created by the “daylight” offside rule.
Panel members expressed support for revising the coin-toss procedure before penalty shootouts.
Currently, a coin toss determines which end hosts the shootout, followed by a captain’s call to decide who takes the first penalty.
Under the existing format, one team can potentially secure both advantages.
The proposed change would allow the winning captain to choose either the ends or the first kick, with the opposing captain automatically receiving the remaining option.
There was minimal backing for expanding the five-second countdown for throw-ins and goal-kicks to other scenarios, including free-kicks and corners.
The goalkeeper injury trial currently underway in English football was regarded as successful to date.
Under this initiative, an outfield player must leave the field if a goalkeeper requires treatment, an effort to curb tactical timeouts that had grown common.
The rule has been applied just twice across 80 Premier League matches thus far.
One proposal suggested that a player who claims a head injury inside the penalty area and quickly returns to play after the referee stops the match should not be required to remain off the field for one minute.
Tuesday’s technical panel meetings represent the initial stage toward potential law changes for the 2027-28 season.
Football’s lawmakers are keen to avoid excessive changes following numerous adjustments introduced ahead of the World Cup.