RoyalBlueRev Algenon Stickleback H the offside rule has changed now, and players aren't offside until they actually become active in the play, which is why you get so many "late" flags these days - until the attacker actually gets in possession, you don't get a flag.
Had Rosenior missed it, he probably would have been offside. The fact that Rosenior wouldn't have known that, and he had to try and do something, makes it a pretty silly rule in my book.
But it's true, without it we wouldn't have had Federici's goal, and we'd have probably been moaning about a crap 0-0 draw and there'd be a 19 page thread about how we really are rubbish now that we've been "found out".
And you don't think Chopra was close enough to the Rosenior and the ball to be deemed to have been 'active' (the attacker doesn't have to be in possession for that to happen) i.e. involved in active play by:- interfering with play or - interfering with an opponent?
Would Rosenior even have bothered to try to head the ball but for the fact he knew Chopra was right in his back?
Another poor decision by the officials if there was no other Reading player keeping Chopra on side.
It doesn't matter - you can be stood directly in front of the goalie, blocking his view, and not be deemed to be offside the way that the rule is now interpreted. I agree with the general concensus that the rule as it is presently applied is silly, but blame FIFA for oxf*rd about with our game, not indiidual linos, who get punished if they don't stick to the official decrees.