‍DOGSO stands for “Denial of an Obvious Goal-Scoring Opportunity.” In soccer, it refers to a foul that stops a clear chance to score a goal. DOGSO usually results in a red card for the offender because it’s considered a serious infringement. It’s a key rule in Law 12 of the Laws of the Game, intended to protect goal-scoring opportunities.

‍

Definition of DOGSO

A player is guilty of DOGSO if they commit a foul (like a trip, push, or deliberate handball) on an opponent who is in a promising position to score, and no other defending players can reasonably intervene before the attacker could shoot on goal. Common scenarios include:

• A defender (often the last man) intentionally trips or holds an attacker who has broken through alone on goal.
• A defender deliberately handles the ball to prevent a sure goal (outside the penalty area).
• In the penalty box, if a defender fouls an attacker on a breakaway (though this scenario now sometimes leads to a yellow card instead, see below).

Under the traditional interpretation (prior to recent changes), DOGSO was thought of as “a reckless foul on an opponent moving towards the goal in a clear position.”

‍

Red Card vs. Yellow Card

DOGSO typically results in a sending-off (red card) for the offending player. That means the player must leave the field immediately. However, there is an important exception since 2016:

• Foul in the Penalty Area: If an attacker is fouled inside the box on a clear goal-scoring opportunity and the defender made a genuine attempt to play the ball, the defender receives a yellow card (caution), and a penalty kick is awarded instead of a red card. This is often called the “double jeopardy” rule change (because the defender still concedes a goal chance penalty).
• Deliberate Handball: If the defender deliberately handles the ball to stop the shot (even in the box), that is still a red card, no matter what. A deliberate handball DOGSO is always red (except if the handball is by the goalkeeper in their own area, who may not be sent off if it’s simply a handling of a shot, though now even that tends to be a red by rule).
• Offense Outside the Penalty Area: A DOGSO foul (like a tackle) outside the box almost always means a red card (since the attacker was denied a clear scoring chance with a free kick to come). The only time it’s not red is if the defender made a legitimate attempt on the ball, which in the old interpretation would have still been red. Actually, the rule tweak only applies inside the area. Outside, the defender gets sent off (and the free kick is indirect for back-pass or direct if other foul).

‍

Examples of DOGSO

• A forward dribbling towards goal is tripped from behind by the last defender just inside the box. The defender is off the hook from red card if he was genuinely trying to get the ball (ref awards a penalty and a yellow).
• A forward is one-on-one and gets barged over by a defender outside the box (no other defenders around). This is red, and a direct free kick is given.
• A forward has beaten all but the keeper; a defender handling the ball on the goal line would be red and a penalty.
• A foul where the attacker was definitely going to shoot and score, and the defender holds them or tackles them, is DOGSO.

‍

Penalty Kick

If DOGSO occurs inside the penalty area (except for the special case above), the result is a penalty kick to the attacking team. Note that the attacking team benefits by getting a shot from the spot in addition to the sending off. This is why defenders sometimes attempt to foul away from the area (because outside the area, the shot is from further out on a free kick).

‍

“Four Ds” Guideline

Referees often consider the “four Ds” of DOGSO when applying the rule:

1. Distance – How far was the attacker from goal?
2. Direction – Was the attacker moving toward the goal or away?
3. Defender – How many defenders (other than the fouler) were between the attacker and the goal?
4. Desire (Control) – Could the attacker keep or gain control of the ball?

If the answer is generally “yes” (close distance, moving forward, few other defenders, likely to score), then DOGSO is in play.

‍

Why DOGSO Matters

The DOGSO rule exists to discourage defenders from blatantly stopping certain goals. It ensures that a clear goal chance is not unfairly removed without significant consequence. Some controversy exists: attackers may try to manipulate situations (e.g., feign being fouled) to draw penalties or benefit from the rule changes. Defenders argue that losing two players (red card + goal chance) is harsh, which is why the penalty-area modification was introduced.

In all, DOGSO means an automatic red card in most cases, punishing defenders harshly for cynically stopping goals.

‍

Summary

• A Denial of an Obvious Goal-Scoring Opportunity (DOGSO) occurs when a clear scoring chance is illegally prevented by a defender.
• Normally it results in a red card for the defender and a free kick or penalty kick to the offense.
• If it happens in the penalty area with a genuine attempt to play the ball, the defender is usually given a yellow card and a penalty kick instead of a red card (this rule change took effect in 2016).
• Factors like distance from goal, direction of play, and number of defenders are considered in determining if the opportunity was “obvious.”

Understanding DOGSO helps explain why certain tackles and fouls lead to very harsh penalties (like a player being sent off) in modern soccer. It emphasizes the value placed on legitimate goal-scoring chances in the game.