Question Number: 31023

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 11/15/2016

RE: High School

JOEY INGLE of TUPELO, MS United States asks...

Can you have a DOGSO at the midfield area?

Answer provided by Referee Peter Grove

Hi Joey,
It is possible, yes. However when we say that the closer to the opponent's goal, the more likely a goal-scoring opportunity is, then the opposite is also true. The further away the incident is from the goal, the less likely it is that you will have a truly obvious goal-scoring opportunity. It does happen though and there have been plenty of examples in high-level matches.

For instance, see the incident starting at 1' 55'' into the clip below.

https://youtu.be/YrEZD2hX4hg

The white team player was dismissed for a DOGSO offence, even though the foul took place in his opponents' half of the field.

I should perhaps mention that this incident was discussed at length on more than one refereeing site and although there was far from 100% agreement, quite a large proportion of the referees involved in the discussion, felt that the offence met the criteria for a DOGSO decision. The main point made by those who did not think it was a DOGSO offence was, understandably enough, the distance from goal. Had the same offence occurred some 40 yards closer to the white team's goal of course, there would have been almost no controversy about it whatsoever.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Joey
The closer to goal the more likely an obvious goal-scoring opportunity. Yet it is possible for it to occur at midfield although it rarely happens as the referee will probably opine that much further away from goal a covering defender will get back to challenge before the goal scoring opportunity will be denied.
Now to evaluate a DOGSO a referee has to be certain that all four conditions which are called the 4 D's are present.
DISTANCE to goal
The distance between the offence and the goal must be considered. The closer to goal, the increased likelihood of the existence of a goal scoring opportunity.
DISTANCE to ball
Attackers who have clear possession of the ball are more likely to have an obvious goal scoring opportunity. However, referees must feel the situation and consider that the Laws of the Game also require the referee to evaluate the *likelihood of keeping or gaining possession of the ball.*
DEFENDER position/location and number
The location of and number of defenders involved in the scoring opportunity is an important factor. The closer the defender(s) are to the opponent with the ball, the increased opportunity they have to prevent a scoring opportunity. Additionally, the position or location of these defenders is an important component. A defender may be in front of the ball, yet he may be positioned such that he cannot prevent the scoring opportunity. In this case, the referee may decide that this defender has no influence on the potential outcome and still consider an obvious goal scoring opportunity exists.
DIRECTION of play
The direction the attacker is taking toward the goal must be considered. Attackers in the center of the field moving directly to goal have a better chance to score than an attacker moving/dribbling away from the goal area.
Now an example of a DOGSO in such a halfway situation would be say where a team is attacking with all its players in the opposing penalty area with the exception of one defender at half way. The ball is caught by the goalkeeper who finds a team mate at half way. The sole defender deliberately fouls him say from behind, bringing him to ground. Without the foul the attacker would be through on goal within a matter for seconds with the nearest defender perhaps 30 + yards away trying to get back. It is safe to say that the without the foul the attacker would be through on goal with a goal scoring opportunity.
Most times though there would be a number of defender present who no doubt could get a challenge in before the attacker would have an obvious goal scoring opportunity. In which case the tactical foul is a caution for unsporting behaviour.
In Referee Groves example the referee dismissed for a DOGSO. As he says the decision did cause significant debate. One can argue that the defender coming back at the bottom of the screen would have been able to challenge for the ball before the scoring opportunity was present. It was certainly a cynical foul with the intention of preventing a promising attack although at lower levels it would only be a caution IMHO. Ultimately it is up to the referee to decide based on the criteria.

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Joey,
you could but it would be rare. As my esteemed colleague advocates, the 4Ds are useful guidelines and the new lenient caution is for the fouls inside the PA as the PK is better than the DFK outside.
If you are convinced the player had a legitimate shot at goal taken away? Even up the field a fair ways from the PA, if there are no other defenders, ball is easily controllable, our shooter has an easy straight path to the net, was super fast to close the distances DOGSO criteria can certainly apply!
Cheers