The starting point
Offside explanations should begin with the relevant law text. A still image may show the arrangement of players, but it may not establish the exact moment or the involvement required by the applicable rule. Historical discussion also requires the law edition from the period being considered.
A useful way to read the evidence
For an archive note, record the date and edition before describing the incident. Explain what the available evidence shows and what it cannot resolve. Avoid treating a single photograph or an undated highlight as a complete adjudication. A useful introductory account can teach readers where to look without claiming certainty about a decision for which the necessary evidence is missing.
Keep in your notes
- Check the applicable edition.
- Separate position and involvement.
- State the limits of a still image.