Question Number: 35878

Law 12 - Fouls and Misconduct 2/10/2025

Zluvka of Liberec, Liberec Region Czech Republic asks...

Hi, the attacker runs with the ball at his feet to the last defender. It is about 35 meters from the goal. No one else can intervene.

1A. The attacker moves the ball behind the defender. He is then fouled. (For me, it's clear DOGSO.)

2A. The defender fouls the attacker with the ball at his feet. The attacker does not move the ball anywhere. At the time of the foul, the defender is closer to the goal than the ball. (I don't know here. I suspect SPA, because it is not certain whether the attacker would go at the goalkeeper alone without a foul.)

3A. The defender kicks the ball to safety with his foot. A split second later, he hits the attacker with his other foot. (I am strongly considering SPA. Even if the ball was played behind the defender or remained at the attacker's feet.)

Other situations are the same, but very close to the goal. Somewhere in the penalty area in a good spot for a shot.

1B. For me, it's clear DOGSO. If there's an attempt to play the ball, then YC and PK.

2B. I'm still considering SPA here. However, the probability of DOGSO is greater than 2A.

3B. I still see it on SPA like in 3A. The ball is safe when a player is fouled. Even if it's just a split second after the foul.

So that's how I see it theoretically. I'm curious how you would handle these situations in practice on the field.

I suspect I could be wrong and all six situations are DOGSO. I just don't know.

Thank you, Zluvka

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Zluvka
Thanks for the question.
To determine if Denying an Obvious Goal Scoring Opportunity is present a referee must assess the situation under what is referred to as the 4Ds
# Distance between the offence and the goal
# General Direction of the play
# Likelihood of keeping or gaining control of the ball (Distance to ball)
# Location and number of Defenders

All four D conditions must be present for a DOGSO dismissal.

In your scenarios I feel that all six scenarios are DOGSOs as the distance to goal is short, direction of play is towards goal, distance to the ball is close and there is only one defender with no covering team mates. Remember it does not require the attacker to be through on goal for a DOGSO red card.

There is an element of understanding what happens next without the offence. In the six scenarios the defender is trying to stop the attacker from developing a goal scoring opportunity through an offence. Defender by their actions in these situations run the very high risk of a red card DOGSO so any offence that has negative playing consequences by the last defender must be sanctioned with a red card once the 4 conditions are present.
Last Defender is not a helpful term as perhaps one of the other three conditions is not present such as the direction of play is not towards goal, or the ball has been kicked away before the offence with no hope of retrieving it.
In those cases it is most likely a caution only.