A goal scored under soccer’s experimental “daylight” offside rule was allowed for the first time in a ​professional match on Saturday, with Pacific FC forward ‌Alejandro Diaz on target in a 2-2 draw with Halifax Wanderers in the Canadian Premier League.

The strike would have been ​ruled out under the standard International Football Association ​Board Laws of the Game, but stood under ⁠the CPL’s ongoing trial conducted in cooperation with FIFA.

The ​Canadian league is testing the rule this season as ​part of efforts to reduce marginal offside decisions and encourage attacking play.

Under the system, an attacker is only deemed offside if ​there is clear “daylight” between them and the second-last ​defender, rather than being penalised for narrowly being ahead.

The concept, long ‌advocated ⁠by former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger in his role as FIFA’s head of global football development, is being assessed in Canada as a potential change to the ​offside law.

Diaz’s goal ​marked the ⁠first in-game application of the interpretation, which resulted directly in a goal, offering a ​glimpse of how the rule could alter ​attacking patterns ⁠and defensive positioning.

The CPL, which launched the trial earlier this month, has provided FIFA with a professional testing ⁠ground ​for the proposal as soccer’s world ​governing body evaluates whether to expand its use more broadly.

Reuters

Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H

Al-Ahly goalkeeper Mohamed El-Shenawy was handed a ​four-match ban after striking a ‌referee on the head following a 1-1 draw with Ceramica Cleopatra, the Egyptian ​Pro League said on ​Thursday.

The Egypt international, who was on ⁠the bench for Tuesday’s game, ​was incensed after Al-Ahly’s appeal for ​a penalty following a handball in stoppage time was denied.

“He handed a four‑match ban ​and fined 50,000 Egyptian pounds ($942) ​for assaulting the referee by pushing or ‌pulling (use ⁠of the hand without violence),” the league said in a statement.

The ban means El-Shenawy, who is expected ​to be ​Egypt’s ⁠starting goalkeeper at the World Cup in North America, ​will be sidelined until ​the ⁠final week of the league play-offs.

Al-Ahly are third on 41 points, five ⁠points ​behind leaders Zamalek.

-Reuters

Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H

Galatasaray have strengthened their squad with another Napoli player, announcing on Friday that Dutch winger Noa Lang has joined the Turkish champions on loan for the remainder of the season, linking up with former Napoli player, Victor Osimhen in Istanbul.

The Super Lig giants confirmed that they have reached an agreement with Napoli for the temporary transfer of the 15-cap Netherlands international, with the deal including a non-mandatory purchase option that Galatasaray may activate at the end of the season.

Under the terms of the agreement, Galatasaray will pay €2 million as a loan fee to Napoli, while Lang will earn a seasonal salary of €1.75 million, according to a statement released by the club.

Lang joined Napoli last year from PSV Eindhoven but struggled to fully establish himself in Italy. He featured in 27 matches across all competitions, scoring once during his time with the Serie A side.

His arrival adds attacking depth to Galatasaray and further strengthens the Napoli connection at the club, with Osimhen already a central figure in their squad as they continue to push for domestic success and progress in European competition.

Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H