Question Number: 31283

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 2/20/2017

RE: rec Adult

saul of chicago, IL USA asks...

A defender hanging from his own goal denies an obvious goal scoring opportunity by heading the ball. We are clear on the new amendment of not sending off the player for DOGSO and just caution him if he intended to play the ball but commits a careless foul. However, in this situation, the player is not making a careless challenge, but USB and DOGSO. So, my question is....and I know many differ on the answer, IFK and caution or IFK and send off.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Saul
It is certainly a red card for denying a goal. The restart is an IDFK on the 6 yard line
The reason it is not a caution is that no penalty kick has been awarded plus it is not a genuine attempt to play the ball.

Answer provided by Referee Peter Grove

Hi Saul,
I'm not sure if you really meant it exactly as you wrote it but just in case you did, I feel I should point out that there is no blanket instruction on not sending a player off for DOGSO offences in the way you describe it. It is only when the offence is committed directly against an opponent, results in a penalty and was a genuine attempt to play the ball that the referee can invoke the lesser sanction.

Since in this case the DOGSO offence is not committed physically against an opponent and does not result in a penalty, the player should still be sent off.