Surfref
PREMIER
I remember when the offside trap used to work the other way - the sweeper would take a couple of steps far enough to put the opposing striker offside just before the kick was taken. Having a set play that depends on cooperation and fore-knowledge of the officials seems a little dirty to me.
Why is it dirty? There is no violation of the LOTG. Is it dirty when players do not automatically give 10 yards on a free kick? The LOTG state that players are to give distance, but most don’t. It is all just gamesmanship and tactics.