Denying goalscoring opportunity case studies at KV Oostende – KAA Gent

The Belgian FA has published two video’s on their website and gives an explanation later what the outcome should be. But you should jugde yourself first in these Denying goalscoring opportunity case studies at KV Oostende – KAA Gent.

During the first situation Lasse Nielsen (blue) is challenging Knowledge Muson (blue). Please ask yourself the following questions:

1. Was there a foul?
2. If so, where was the foul? Was it inside or outside the box? (Please decide before watching the replay.)
3. Was the defender careless, reckless or using excessive force?
4. Was the blue attacker about to score a goal? So would you send the defender of for denying a goal-scoring opportunity?

Have you read the questios? Now watch the video and make your decisions.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aN_9AUqIlic

And, what did you decide? Would defender Lasse Nielsen still be on the pitch in your game?

Here’s the explanation based on the Laws of the Game. Referees should consider the following circumstances when deciding whether to send off a player for denying a goal or an obvious goalscoring opportunity:

• the distance between the offence and the goal
• the likelihood of keeping or gaining control of the ball
• the direction of the play
• the location and number of defenders
• the offence which denies an opponent an obvious goalscoring opportunity may be an offence that incurs a direct free kick or an indirect free kick

The Belgian FA wrote in a statement: When Musona runs towards the goal he gets pushed just outside the penalty area. The situation above has met all criteria mentioned above, except the likelihood of keeping or gaining control of the ball. Because not all boxes are ticked (ball is high in the air), no goalscoring opportunity has been denied, but only a promising attack. The right decision should be a direct free kick right outside the box and the defender should be punished with a yellow card.”

I sometimes forget the likelihood of keeping or gaining control of the ball. It has almost tricked me as well.

But with the knowledge mentioned above. What are your thougths on the second situation from that game?

https://youtu.be/VZa6R8xuCM4

Yes, all boxes are thicked now: Asare (blue) should be sent off for denying a goal-scoring opportunity and the restart of play should be a direct free kick because the foul was made just outside the box.

PS: click here to train offside situations.