An attacker is in an offside position at the moment a team-mate takes a direct free kick. While the ball is in the air, the attacker jumps to head it but does not touch the ball. The attacker’s movement confuses the goalkeeper, who fails to make a save, and the ball enters the goal. What is the correct decision?

Question

Accepted Answer

The attacker who was in an offside position has an impact on the goalkeeper by clearly attempting to play the ball when it is close. This is an offside offence, so the referee awards an indirect free kick to the goalkeeper’s team.