re: Quick Look at the Croatia vs. Belgium offside

The rule used to read, being in offside position and “seeking to gain an advantage”, meaning if you were trying you were deemed offside. You could kneel or peel away and not be trying and not judged offside. The verbiage was changed in the laws of the game 7-8 years ago to now reflect “gained an advantage” meaning not only do you have to try, you actually have to gain it. That slight change allows for some to be in offside position, and while maybe trying, not successful at gaining an advantage therefore not ruled to be offside. It allows for some grey area to not call somebody now, that was automatic 10-12 years ago. That means a decision has to be made differently by the referee.