English football to introduce changes to offside rule

A change to the offside rule will be introduced to English football matches this season after a number of controversial incidents last term.

In recent years, players could stand in an offside position so long as they weren't deemed to be actively involved in play.

However, for the upcoming season, the rule has been changed to state that a player can be deemed to be offside if they "clearly attempt to play a ball which is close to them when this action impacts on an opponent".

Former referee Dermot Gallagher believes that the new rules will be easier to understand in practice.

He told Sky Sports News HQ: "I actually think it will simplify it. When you see the season unfold on Saturday, you'll think that it's one thing on paper and another in practice."

The new wording would rule out some goals that counted last season, such as Ander Herrera's strike against Preston North End in the FA Cup.