A defender from Team A kicks the ball backwards to their goalkeeper. The pass is unsuccessful as the ball deflects off an opponent from Team B and then goes to a Team B attacker who has remained in an offside position since the defender kicked the ball. The attacker controls the ball and scores a goal. What is the correct decision?

Question

Accepted Answer

The referee disallows the goal and awards an indirect free kick to Team A for offside. It does not matter whether the ball went from one Team B player to another Team B player (who was in an offside position) accidentally or deliberately.