It's an odd part of the Law, but he got it right...

"If a defending player steps behind his own goal line in order to place an opponent in an offside position, the referee shall allow play to continue and caution the defender for deliberately leaving the field of play without the referee’s permission when the ball is next out of play"

Player's remain active unless the referee's given them permission to leave the field of play - if they haven't got permission they get cautioned (unless it's a case of sliding to keep the ball in play on the wing etc.). Similarly, if they re-enter the field of play without permission they get cautioned*.

I suppose Panucci wasn't cautioned last night as it wasn't a deliberate attempt to play van Nistelrooy offside.

Bit harsh on the Italians, but 'dems the rules'...

* - Dion Dublin's should have been cautioned (possibly sent off!) for his goal for Coventry against Newcastle, for example. He stood off the pitch whilst Shay Given checked round him before laying the ball down to kick upfield - allowing Dion to re-enter the field of play and nick the ball off him.

Posted By: Declan, Jun 10, 11:52:21