Question Number: 32644

League Specific 8/13/2018

RE: Semi pro Adult

Luke Morton of Coventry , England asks...

I was wondering if you could look at the following footage and see if its worth an appeal.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=StA0h0kpKwA

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Luke.
I would say its a no brainer red!
What would you appeal?
Was the red card for DOGSO or was it for VC or SFP of an elbow across the face? I can not tell what sort of contact was made? If it was just an arm bump for a charge foul the DOGSO is certainly within the scope of opinion as a fact. despite the defender running back. If the foul itself had more than careless or reckless in it, as an elbow could have, then the DOGSO is not a concern, the VC is! DFK show the red card, keeper off, they play down a player!
Cheers

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Luke
Thanks for the question.
The first point to consider is whether the goalkeeper was sent off for denying a goal scoring opportunity or for serious foul play on the contact.
If it is the latter that will depend on what the referee reported and that excessive force was used. Serious foul play is always subjective and from the video here I do not see enough for a successful appeal.
Now on the former if it was a DOGSO there is a little hope from my perspective. It all hangs on whether the attacker intended to follow up the header or whether the header was the attempt on goal. If the attempt was made with no possible follow up then the opportunity could be considered not to be denied.
That is also subjective as we have to try to crystal ball gaze as to what would have happened without the foul.
Another factor is to consider is the knowledge and experience of any review panel. Many in the game would simply see this as a take out foul by the goalkeeper that deserves a suspension sanction.
On balance I would say that there is enough in the incident to opine that an overturn of the red card would not be justified.

Answer provided by Referee Peter Grove

Hi Luke,
I'm assuming that there was a red card for the goalkeeper here and that's what you're talking about appealing? You also don't say (assuming there was a red card) what reason was given for the card. Anyway, whether it was for denying an obvious goal scoring opportunity (DOGSO) or for serious foul play (SFP), I would be surprised if an appeal were successful. The law says that:

''Decisions will be [...] based on the opinion of the referee who has the discretion to take appropriate action within the framework of the Laws of the Game.''

The referee is the sole judge of facts concerning play and for me it would be a reasonable judgement call to see this as either DOGSO or SFP.