Linesmen give an inch

Football is braced for a revolution in the offside law this season, with linesmen being asked to give attackers even more advantage.

The League Managers' Association has been informed that the assistant referees "must see air" – the exact def-inition – between the forwards and the defenders before giving offside this coming season.

This new interpretation, given out by the referees' spokesman, Philip Don, should make it even more difficult for sides to be pulled up for offside and encourage attacking play.

At present strikers are onside if they are level with the last man, but from this season that goes forward a few vital inches until there is daylight.

Managers such as Tottenham's Glenn Hoddle have ex-pressed reservations about the directive handed down by the world game's governing body, Fifa, despite Don attending a meeting in London this week to try to explain the idea.

However, after a discussion, in which the managers queried the interpretation and were told it was "nothing new", Hoddle remarked: "There is no point arguing, they have made up their minds already."

Middlesbrough yesterday secured a work permit on ap-peal for the World Cup winner, Juninho, who can now complete his move from Atletico Madrid. The Brazilian's initial application had been rejected on the grounds that he had not played in enough of his country's competitive internationals over the last two years.

George Boateng yesterday agreed personal terms with Middlesbrough. The Dutch midfielder's move from Aston Villa for a reported £5m is due to be finalised on Monday. Portsmouth have agreed personal terms with another Villa midfielder, Paul Merson, over a move to Fratton Park.