DOGSO Denial of an Obvious Goal Scoring Opportunity

Aim of this Session • To identify and consistently apply the criteria for deciding when to correctly penalise a player for denying an obvious goal-scoring opportunity to an opponent

DOGSO Considerations What do you take into consideration when deciding when to penalise an offence that denies an obvious goal-scoring opportunity (DOGSO)? D D D C Distance between the offence and the goal General direction of the play * Location and number of defenders Likelihood of keeping or gaining control of the ball *If player moves diagonally to pass the last defender or goalkeeper, this can still be a DOGSO

General Direction of Play An attacker who was moving towards the goal but has had to take a momentary change in direction to avoid an opponent at the precise time he was fouled is still moving in the direction of the goal G D D D

The wider the angle of attack and the further away from the goal, the less OBVIOUS a Clear Goal Scoring Opportunity is denied High Possibility Low possibility

The Penalty Area When a defender denies an obvious goal-scoring opportunity inside the penalty area, there are some additional considerations • Does the offending player attempt to play or challenge the opponent for the ball? • Does the defender have no possibility to play the ball (in a fair manner)? • Does the defender commit an offence that is not in a fair manner – handling, holding, pushing, pulling?

The Penalty Area Where a player commits an DOGSO offence against an opponent within their own penalty area: • Award a penalty kick • Caution (YC) the offending player if the player unsuccessfully attempts to play or challenge an opponent for the ball • In all other circumstances, (e. g. handball, holding, pulling pushing, no possibility to play the ball), the offending player must be sent off or • The offence is punishable by a red card wherever it occurs on the field of play (e. g. serious foul play, violent conduct)

Outside the Penalty Area Where a player commits an offence against an opponent outside their own penalty area which denies an obvious goal scoring opportunity: • The offence is always a red card unless…

DOGSO - Advantage If the referee plays the advantage for an offence for which a caution/sending-off would have been issued had play been stopped: • The caution/sending-off must be issued when the ball is next out of play • If the offence was a DOGSO Red Card, the player is cautioned for unsporting behaviour when the ball is next out of play

DOGSO – Quick Free Kick If the non-offending team takes a quick free kick, has a clear goal-scoring opportunity and the referee has not started the disciplinary sanction procedure: • Allow play to continue • At the next stoppage; the player is cautioned Explanation • The quick free kick must restore a clear goal scoring opportunity • If the referee allows a ‘quick’ free kick after a DOGSO offence, the (delayed) Red Card becomes a Yellow Card

DOGSO Philosophy Does the offending player attempt to play or challenge the opponent for the ball? • if the referee is unsure – issue a yellow card rather than red card • the player’s movement towards the ball/opponent is a good indication of attempting to play or challenge the opponent for the ball

Match Incidents – Group Exercise In your groups, • Watch the clip and replays, you can do so as many times as you wish, apply the DOGSO principles, and… • select the best outcome:

Match Incidents Clip 1 Clip 2 Clip 5 Clip 6 Clip 3 Clip 7 Clip 9 Clip 4 Clip 8

General Advice DOGSO situations requires: • an analysis of all the information and quick thought process • the ability to freeze frame the incident (take a photo in your mind) at the moment the offence takes place as the picture can change very quickly • correct judgement whether the offender, who is inside their own penalty area, attempts to play the ball or not • the referee to be in a good and credible position with a good angle of view • a positive reaction by the referee with clear positive body language • clear communication with the referee team (where appropriate)

Any Questions?

Summary • Understand that the picture can change very quickly once the whistle is blown for the offence • Ensure you apply the correct disciplinary sanctions • Remember DDDC D D D C Distance between the offence and the goal General direction of the play Location and number of defenders Likelihood of keeping or gaining control of the ball

Thank you