Question Number: 30398

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 5/9/2016

RE: Select High School

John of Omaha, Ne Usa asks...

DOGSO question.
The striker beats gets past the defenders and has only the goalie to beat. She makes a move and gets around the goalie so the goalie grabs her around the legs in an attempt to hold her. She stumbles, but is able to break free and scores the goal. Had she not scored, all criteria for DOGSO were met. Since she was able to score, does the goalie still get sent off (red card) because her intentions were to deny the obvious goal scoring opportunity? (Again, the 4 d's were met)

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi a John
The goalkeeper must NOT be sent off as nothing has been denied. The GK should be cautioned and the restart is a kick off.
The only way the GK can be sent off is if the goal is not scored or a penalty is called before the ball enters the goal.
BTW this law will be amended in the Laws of the Game on 1st June 2016. In the case where a genuine attempt to play the ball results in a penalty kick and a denial of a goal scoring opportunity the player will be cautioned instead of dismissed. He could still be sent off if the foul was SFP or it was not an honest attempt to genuinely play the ball such as a pull back, push, etc.

Answer provided by Referee Joe Manjone

John,

As is indicated in NFHS Rule 12-8-1-f14, this would be a caution for unsporting conduct. The rule reads: A player shall be cautioned for unsporting conduct when a player commits a foul attempting to deny an obvious goal-scoring opportunity and the goal is scored. I hope you are having a successful season.

Answer provided by Referee Jason Wright

Hi John,
By playing advantage, the referee is stating that there is still an Obvious Goalscoring Opportunnity. Thus, it has not been denied - though the attempt was certainly be made. In a match under the LOTG the referee had discretion over whether to issue a caution - for a foul this blatant I would argue that a caution is definitely necessary.
Of course, if the tackle was serious a red card for SFP/VC is still an option.