Nottingham Forest striker Taiwo Awoniyi suffered a severe abdominal injury during a match against Leicester City, reigniting concerns over the Premier League’s ‘delayed offside’ protocol. The incident occurred when Awoniyi collided with the goalpost while attempting to reach a cross from Anthony Elanga, who was later deemed offside. The assistant referee, adhering to current guidelines, allowed play to continue until the phase concluded, resulting in Awoniyi’s injury. He was subsequently placed in an induced coma and underwent surgery for a ruptured intestine .BBC
Implemented in the 2020–21 season, the ‘delayed offside’ rule instructs assistant referees to postpone raising the flag during immediate goal-scoring opportunities, allowing VAR to review the play if a goal is scored. While intended to reduce incorrect offside calls, this approach has faced criticism for potentially increasing injury risks. Former Premier League referee Keith Hackett highlighted that delaying the flag can expose players to unnecessary danger .BBC
This incident has prompted calls for the International Football Association Board (IFAB) to reassess the protocol. Former England midfielder Fara Williams described the rule as a “time bomb waiting to go off,” emphasizing that clear offside situations should be flagged immediately to prevent such injuries .Reddit+2BBC+2X (formerly Twitter)+2
As discussions continue, the football community awaits potential revisions to the offside rule to prioritize player safety without compromising the integrity of the game.
