ARSENE WENGERS bid to fast-track new offside rules in time for Euro 2020 has hit the buffers.
The FA want to delay his proposed changes until 2021 and Wenger also faces opposition from his new colleagues at Fifa.
SunSport revealed the former Arsenal managers masterplan to rule an attacking player will be deemed onside if any part of their body is level or behind the last defender.
Fifas new lawmaker Wenger insisted there is time to do this very quickly.
And he wanted to drive through the plans at next weeks International Football Association Board (Ifab) AGM in Belfast.
That would have seen the idea made part of the game from June 1 and rolled out for Euro 2020.
FIFA CHIEF BACKS CHANGE
But FA chiefs, who will be at the AGM next week, will not commit to a law change before full discussions and tests have taken place.
If trials of the new system are demanded, that would rule out it being ready for this summers tournament.
It is understood the Frenchmans plan has the backing of Fifa president Gianni Infantino and referees chief Pierluigi Collina, who can persuade Ifab to discuss and vote on it.
Ifab rules mean Wengers proposal needs the support of at least two of the Home Nations, who each have a vote on the eight-man panel. Fifa, who always vote as a bloc, have the other four.
Wengers proposals have already been widely supported by supporters and managers, including Wolves boss Nuno Espirito Santo.
But pen-pusher Lukas Brud, general secretary of Ifab, suggested it was too late in the day for the law changes to be tabled.
That is despite Wenger having been asked by Infantino to come up with a solution to the issues caused by VAR in his new role as global football development chief.
Wenger, 70, said last night: My objective, as well as Fifas, is to continuously think about ways to improve our game.
We shouldnt be afraid to debate them in public.
But I am well aware any rule changes are subject to a standard approval process.
That includes discussions with stakeholders and potential test phases, within the scope of the established Ifab framework.
