Taiwo Awoniyi’s recent injury has sparked urgent debate about the current offside protocols in football, especially under the influence of the video assistant referee (VAR) system. The collision that left Awoniyi in an induced coma after hitting a post during Nottingham Forest’s 2-2 draw with Leicester was a harsh reminder of how flawed the modern offside rules can be when player safety is compromised.
The incident occurred during an attack where Anthony Elanga, clearly offside, ran past Leicester’s defense before crossing the ball for Awoniyi. Yet the assistant referee did not raise her flag, following the prevailing protocol that encourages officials to allow play to continue and leave the final offside decision to VAR. This system, introduced in the 2020-21 season, was designed to reward attacking play and avoid penalizing attackers for marginal offsides by allowing moves to unfold before a video review.
At face value, this approach sounds reasonable: it aims to minimize premature stoppages and ensures that tight decisions are double-checked to avoid unfairly disallowing goals. However, the strict application of this protocol has created new problems, most notably in terms of player safety and the flow of the game. The reliance on VAR and the instruction to assistants to hold off on flagging clear offsides can lead to dangerous situations and unnecessary collisions exactly what happened to Awoniyi.
Football is a fast, physical sport, and expecting players, especially defenders, to play “to the whistle” is increasingly unrealistic under the current system. When officials refrain from flagging obvious offsides, defenders are forced to keep running back or scramble to recover, often putting themselves at physical risk. This hesitation can cause hesitation, confusion, and erratic play, which not only disrupts the flow of the game but also increases the likelihood of injuries.
There is growing concern that the current protocol contributes to a rise in hamstring and muscular injuries, as defenders frequently have to make sudden, explosive sprints to catch up with attackers who are technically offside. The result is unnecessary strain and fatigue that could be mitigated with clearer officiating decisions.
Awoniyi’s injury is not an isolated case. Other Premier League players, including Manchester City’s Ederson and John Stones, have suffered injuries under similar circumstances, highlighting a pattern where the system prioritizes technological precision over player well-being. Footballers are conditioned to respond to official signals, and when those signals are withheld due to protocol, the risk of dangerous collisions or overexertion increases.
The heart of the issue lies in the way VAR has been integrated into officiating. The desire to make refereeing an exact science is admirable but ultimately flawed. Football thrives on its unpredictability, the human element, and sometimes, the imperfect judgment calls that add to the sport’s drama. Attempting to remove all uncertainty and make every decision a technical certainty strips the game of some of its character and, as seen here, puts players at unnecessary risk.
A more balanced approach is needed. Assistant referees should be given the freedom to raise the flag if they are confident of a clear offside, rather than waiting for VAR intervention in every instance. This would reduce the number of needless, risky plays and improve safety without significantly affecting the fluidity of the game. It might mean that some goals are disallowed in borderline cases, but that is a reasonable trade-off for protecting players and preserving the integrity of the contest.
The Awoniyi incident is a stark warning. Football’s governing bodies must reconsider how VAR and offside protocols are applied. The priority should be safeguarding players and maintaining the natural flow and excitement of the game not turning it into a cold, clinical exercise in precision where injuries become collateral damage. Embracing the human element and allowing referees to exercise judgment and common sense again could help restore balance and reduce the risks footballers face every matchday.
