Red Card Controversy Highlights ”DOGSO” Rule in Millonarios-Alianza Match
BARRANQUILLA, Colombia – A late first-half decision to issue a straight red card to Millonarios defender Sergio Mosquera during their BetPlay League match against Alianza FC on the 11th matchday sparked debate and underscored the increasingly critical role of the “DOGSO” rule in modern football officiating.The incident, initially signaled as a yellow card, was upgraded to a red after a VAR review, leaving millonarios to play the second half with ten men and ultimately concede a 2-0 defeat.
The expulsion occurred at the 45-minute mark when Mosquera fouled an Alianza player attempting a pass, despite being the last defender and a considerable distance from the goal. The referee initially issued a yellow card, but a subsequent review of the play via VAR led to the decision being overturned, resulting in MosqueraS dismissal. This highlights a key element of the DOGSO criteria: preventing a promising attack, even if not instantly adjacent to the goal, can warrant a red card.
What is the DOGSO Zone?
DOGSO,an acronym for “Denying an Obvious Goal-scoring Opportunity,” is a crucial guideline for referees determining whether a foul merits a red card. The rule is applied when a player commits an infraction that prevents an opponent from having a clear and obvious chance to score. The determination rests on the referee’s judgment of whether the foul was committed unfairly and deliberately, denying a legitimate goal-scoring opportunity.
The assessment isn’t solely based on proximity to the goal. Factors considered include the direction of play, the likelihood of gaining control of the ball, and the location and number of defenders. Even if the foul occurs outside the penalty area, a referee can issue a red card if they believe the infraction illegally prevented a clear path to goal. The Mosquera incident exemplifies this, as the VAR review determined his foul, despite its distance from the goal, denied Alianza a promising attacking opportunity, justifying the red card.
