Ex-Liverpool boss Gerard Houllier is one of those urging change

Uefa has agreed with several top coaches that the rule whereby a player not interfering with play is adjudged onside is open to exploitation.

"A lot of our colleagues are worried about the interpretation of passive offside being exploited," said Uefa technical director Andy Roxburgh.

"Gerard Houllier even believes that if we don't change this interpretation it will change the face of the game."

Uefa heard arguments from Europe's elite coaches forum, which includes Arsene Wenger, Sir Alex Ferguson, Jose Mourinho and Houllier.

Roxburgh added: "The ruling needs to be tightened up, it caused chaos in England last season.

"If, for example, a striker is in an offside position in the centre of the pitch when the ball is played down the flank and the winger then quickly crosses, then he has clearly gained an advantage from being offside."

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The coaches also want changes to the automatic red card for fouls in the penalty area that deny a goalscoring opportunity.

"We all accept that if the last man brings someone down outside the box and denies them a goalscoring chance then there is no choice but a red card," said Roxburgh.

"But, if he brings them down inside the box they get a penalty, so you are giving them that goalscoring chance back.

"In that situation the referee should have the option of red or yellow."