There was some early idea that this new definition didn't apply at grassroots, but I think that was quickly dispelled - it applies at all levels.
But they weren't in that position when the ball was played. It boils down to whether this is a legitimate tactic to exploit the letter of the law or diabolical cheating to circumvent the spirit of the law. Until yet another new definition, some referees are going to allow it, some will go with the "moral offside".
Interfering with play has for some time now (since 1997 in fact) been only one of the three "ways" to commit an offside offence. The other two are "interfering with an opponent" and "gaining an advantage by being in that position". All three categories apply at all levels. I'm not sure where you're getting the phrase "making an obvious attempt to play the ball" from but in the IFAB circular no. 3 issued on July 17, 2015, there is additional clarification on two scenarios that constitute "interfering with an opponent."
I think it's a little unfair to characterise it as "colluding in a tactical discussion."
Because being in an offside position, unlike holding, is not an offence in itself; the referee has no way of knowing where the players are going to be when the shot is taken and there is nothing in law to stop them being wherever they like on the FOP.
The referee doesn't know what will happen before and immediately after the kick is taken. For example, if Mata had squared the ball rather than taking a shot and all three players had retreated beyond the second last defender before any shot on goal was taken there would be no discussion about an offence at all.
Because you cannot penalise a player (or players) for doing something that would be an offence under different circumstances, if those different circumstances are not in place. Standing in front of the goalkeeper in a position that prevents him having a clear view of the ball is not an offence. Players do it all the time at corners. You can't penalise them for doing it at a corner by saying that if they did it while in an offside position at a free kick, it would be an offence.
No, you want to do it (if I've understood correctly) before the free kick, which means penalising something that is not an offence in those circumstances and at that time, just as it wouldn't be at a corner
Thanks for posting that, very interesting. I am not 100% convinced that "as the free kick is taken, MNU35, MNU21 and MNU9 all make a clear movement (obvious action), which clearly impacts on the ability of an opponent to play the ball" but as I posted earlier, I think there was enough of doubt to give offside.
Yes it is - and what's more, it is both mandatory for referees to deal with and a cautionable offence.
