Fact Check: If the player didn't intentionally play the ball (even if it touched their boots slightly) and didn't interfere with an opponent, then they would not be penalized for offside. The goal should still count as long as the player did not actively participate in the play. The rules are different in penalties and offsides

Fact Check: "If the player didn't intentionally play the ball (even if it touched their boots slightly) and didn't interfere with an opponent, then they would not be penalized for offside. The goal should still count as long as the player did not actively participate in the play. The rules are different in penalties and offsides."

What We Know

The offside rule in association football (soccer) is codified in Law 11 of the Laws of the Game. A player is considered to be in an offside position if any part of their head, body, or feet is in the opponent's half of the pitch and closer to the opponent's goal line than both the ball and the second-last opponent (excluding hands and arms) (Offside (association football)). Importantly, being in an offside position is not an offence in itself. A player is only penalized if they become involved in active play by either playing or touching the ball, interfering with an opponent, or gaining an advantage from their position (Law 11 - Offside - The FA).

If a player does not intentionally play the ball and does not interfere with an opponent, they may not be penalized for offside. This is supported by the clarification that a player who is in an offside position at the moment the ball is played is only penalized if they interfere with play or an opponent (Law 11 - Offside | IFAB). Moreover, if the ball was last deliberately played by an opponent, the player in an offside position is not penalized, as they are not considered to have gained an advantage (Law 11 - Offside: 'deliberate play' guidelines clarified).

Analysis

The claim presents a nuanced interpretation of the offside rule, suggesting that a player who does not intentionally play the ball and does not interfere with an opponent should not be penalized for offside, allowing a goal to count. This interpretation aligns with the official rules, which state that a player must be involved in active play to be penalized for offside. However, the phrase "did not actively participate in the play" can be subjective and may lead to different interpretations by referees.

The reliability of the sources used to support this claim is generally high. The Laws of the Game are maintained by the International Football Association Board (IFAB), which is the authoritative body on football rules (Law 11 - Offside | IFAB). Additionally, the FA and various reputable football analysis platforms provide consistent interpretations of these rules (Law 11 - Offside - The FA, Offside Rule in Soccer Explained: Complete Guide). However, the claim's assertion that "the rules are different in penalties and offsides" lacks clarity. While the offside rule and penalty rules are distinct, they are both governed by the Laws of the Game, and the application of these rules can sometimes overlap in complex scenarios.

Conclusion

The claim is Partially True. It accurately reflects that a player who does not intentionally play the ball and does not interfere with an opponent may not be penalized for offside, allowing a goal to count. However, the assertion that "the rules are different in penalties and offsides" could be misleading without further context, as both sets of rules are part of the overarching Laws of the Game and are applied based on specific circumstances.