Arsene Wenger is now FIFA's chief of global football development and is outspoken on his vision for the sport with the laws around offside one of the areas he would like to see changed
Arsene Wenger has suggested a major reform of football's offside rule could come as soon as next year. The legendary Arsenal boss has long been a chief proponent of making a change and it is now on the agenda.
Wenger, now FIFA's chief of global football development, hopes to introduce a 'daylight' principle to offsides. A player would be deemed as onside if any part of their body that can score a goal is behind or level with the relevant defender.
The idea was first proposed as early as 2020 and after positive trials in Sweden, Italy and the Netherlands and Wenger has hoped to push forward quickly with changes through the International FA Board (IFAB).
And there seems to have been some acceleration to Wenger's bid to fix the issues around offside decisions, with a possible judgement coming next year. Speaking on beIN Sports, Wenger said: "In 1990 it was decided that it's not offside if you're on the same line as the defender and the striker has advantage if there was doubt.
"With VAR, this advantage disappeared. I think in England they cancelled 37 goals on marginal offsides, it's very frustrating. It's why I proposed that as long as you're on the same line, you're not offside. In one year the decision will be made by IFAB, not by me."
Wenger has proven an open book in his thoughts on football in recent weeks. The Frenchman may have caused uproar in some areas of Manchester and London as he suggested it is 'not right' that the winner of the Europa League is rewarded with a place in the Champions League.
Manchester United and Tottenham are both in advantageous positions to make the competition's finale and the Premier League could find itself with an additional spot in the Champions League. UEFA made the decision to offer a place in the competition as a reward for victory in the Europa League back in 2014
Wenger has called for that to be reviewed, and believes the policy is unfair. Asked for his position, he said. "No - they should qualify automatically for the Europa League again but not necessarily for the Champions League.
"Especially when you're in the Premier League where already five teams qualify. I think it's something (for Uefa) to think about and to review.
"On the other hand people will tell you that to keep the Europa League focused, interesting and motivated you need to give them that prize (of qualifying for the Champions League)."
As it stands, despite United and Spurs both being in the bottom half of the Premier League, they could win a place in Europe's top competition. Four teams in the league usually qualify but the Premier League have won an extra spot due to the collective performance of English teams in Europe.
A tournament win from United or Spurs would see a sixth place awarded.