DOGSO (Denying an Obvious Goal-Scoring Opportunity)
DOGSO is the Law 12 sending-off category for denying an opponent or the opposing team an obvious goal-scoring opportunity, with a caution instead of a red card when a penalty is awarded for a genuine attempt to play the ball.
Why this wins its question: Captures the penalty-area caution exception introduced in 2016 that casual definitions of "last man = red card" still get wrong, bound to the 2026/27 text of Law 12.
Claims
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Denying the opposing team a goal or an obvious goal-scoring opportunity, including by a deliberate handball offence, is a sending-off offence under Law 12.
When the offence is committed inside the offender's own penalty area and the referee awards a penalty kick, the offender is cautioned rather than sent off if the offence was an attempt to play the ball or a challenge for the ball; in all other circumstances (holding, pulling, pushing, no possibility to play the ball, or handball) the offender is sent off.
From the 2026/27 edition, when the referee plays advantage for a DOGSO offence and the non-offending team scores as a result, there is no disciplinary sanction for the offender, as the offence did not prevent a goal; earlier editions cautioned the offender in this situation.