For an offense committed against a substitute outside the field of play, what is the correct restart?

The correct restart for an offense committed against a substitute outside the field of play is a direct free kick on the boundary line nearest to the offense. This is because the Laws of the Game state that if an offense occurs outside the field of play involving players not currently engaged in the game, such as substitutes, the restart is typically given where the ball was located at the time of the offense.

In this case, the boundary line nearest to where the incident occurred is where the direct free kick is awarded. This ensures that the restart is close to the location of the foul, allowing the opposing team the opportunity to capitalize on the situation from a strategic position. These rules are in place to maintain fairness and order during the match, while also providing a clear way to handle situations involving substitutes. Other options do not align with the specifics of the Laws of the Game relating to offenses against substitutes.