In the world of soccer officiating, few terms carry as much weight — or controversy — as DOGSO, short for Denial of an Obvious Goal-Scoring Opportunity.
This concept is a critical part of the Laws of the Game and often leads to game-changing decisions like red cards, penalty kicks, or VAR reviews. But what exactly does DOGSO mean, when is it applied, and what are the consequences?
Here’s everything you need to know.
DOGSO = Denial of an Obvious Goal-Scoring Opportunity
This rule is enforced when a player commits a foul that clearly prevents an attacking player from scoring a goal (or having a high probability of scoring), under specific conditions.
It’s not just about stopping an attack — it’s about stopping an opportunity that had a high likelihood of resulting in a goal.
According to the IFAB Laws of the Game, DOGSO applies when a player commits a foul punishable by a free kick or penalty, and that foul denies the opponent an obvious goal-scoring opportunity.
To determine whether an opportunity qualifies as “obvious,” referees evaluate four key criteria:
The closer the attacker is to goal, the more likely DOGSO applies.
Was the attacking player moving toward the goal or away from it? DOGSO is less likely to apply if the player was facing sideways or retreating.
Was the attacker in control, or very likely to control the ball? Miscontrolled or loose balls may not qualify.
Was the attacker likely to get a shot off without significant defensive interference? If other defenders were in position to challenge, DOGSO may not apply.
Not all fouls that stop an attack qualify as DOGSO. A tactical foul may break up a promising attack but doesn’t meet the strict requirements for DOGSO. Tactical fouls usually result in a yellow card, not red.
DOGSO requires a clear, direct path to goal — not just an advantageous situation.
When DOGSO is confirmed, the offending player is typically shown a red card and sent off. However, there are important exceptions.
If the DOGSO foul happens inside the penalty area and the defender:
Then the referee may issue a yellow card instead of red.
This adjustment prevents the so-called “double jeopardy” of giving both a red card and a penalty when the foul wasn’t reckless or deliberate.
However, if the foul is clearly deliberate (e.g. pulling a shirt, handball, no attempt to play the ball), the red card still applies.
DOGSO can also occur through a deliberate handball that stops a goal or an obvious scoring opportunity. This is an automatic red card offense, even if it occurs inside the penalty area.
The key is intent — accidental or incidental handballs typically do not qualify for DOGSO.
Yes. In competitions that use Video Assistant Referee (VAR), DOGSO decisions can be reviewed. Referees may change the decision (including red card issuance) if the review shows the opportunity wasn’t as clear as it first appeared.
VAR can also assist in determining whether the foul occurred inside or outside the penalty area — a key distinction in DOGSO rulings.
All of these would typically qualify as DOGSO — and result in a red card (unless the modern penalty-area exception applies).
DOGSO is one of the most serious infractions in soccer and often sparks intense debate. Understanding the four key criteria — distance, direction, control, and defenders — can help fans, coaches, and players interpret the rule more clearly when it’s enforced.
While every DOGSO decision requires careful judgment, the rule plays a vital role in preserving fairness and deterring fouls that rob attacking players of clear scoring chances.
