Introduction to DOGSO

This post is intended to clear up some of the confusion regarding the sending off offence common known as DOGSO – Denying an Obvious Goalscoring Opportunity.  This was brought about following a Twitter conversation whereby I needed more than 140 characters.

So – what are the criteria for DOGSO?

There are no set criteria, however, the following have to be taken into consideration…

Distance from goal

Direction facing

Speed of ball

Other defenders closer to the goal

Angle of immediate shot on goal

There are other factors, such as if the attacker is extremely fast – he may be reasonable expected to get the ball before the last defender…for example on or near the halfway line one of those players known for speed could be expected to outpace the last defender.  On the halfway line, if this were the case, it would be reasonable to expect the attacker to change his angle therefore allowing a much more central shot at gall, perhaps near the penalty mark – this is why DOGSO can applied if the foul is on the half way line.

But in most cases, the final 3^rd, just outside the area would be sufficient.  The attacker would have to be expected to get to the ball first, facing roughly towards the goal (this is more pertinent if closer to the goal as the attacker could change direction if further out). 

The final thought would have to be the “denial”.  If the attacker still managed to get the shot off unhampered, then the chances are, the offence did not “deny” the opportunity.

So – did the offence deny an clear, obvious chance that would have resulted in a straight run to the goalkeeper or a shot on an open goal from a clear angle?

If yes, DOGSO may be applied.  If not, then it can’t be applied.

If the attacker still managed to shoot towards the goal, then DOGSO cannot be applied. 

If the refer blows his whistle before the shot – if any of the above criteria are not met, then DOGSO cannot be applied.

In the West Ham/Swansea game of 7 Dec 2914, the angle was far too tight.  There was a defender cutting out any cutback and the attacker managed to stay on his feet and missed the resulting shot, before realising the whistle had gone.  The angle waf far too tight for it to be a CLEAR GSO and the challenge did not deny the opportunity.