Judge DB uses worldwide match footage to explain close football refereeing decisions, including DOGSO, VAR interventions and penalty-kick decisions, based on the Laws of the Game.

What is DOGSO and how is it applied?

DOGSO means denying an obvious goal-scoring opportunity. Under Law 12, a player who commits an offence that denies an opponent an obvious goal-scoring opportunity is sent off, although the disciplinary sanction may be reduced to a caution in specified circumstances when the offence occurs inside the penalty area.

When does the video assistant referee intervene?

The VAR may intervene for a clear and obvious error or a serious missed incident in the categories of goal or no goal, penalty or no penalty, direct red card, and mistaken identity. The referee may conduct an on-field review (OFR) before making the final decision.

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[No Foul / VAR Intervention] An on-field review of contact between a goalkeeper and an attacking player, with no offence given

2025 J1 League Matchweek 26 Sanfrecce Hiroshima vs Gamba Osaka

From a corner kick, the Gamba Osaka goalkeeper and a Hiroshima attacking player came into contact. The on-fiel…

J1 LeagueFoul (contact)OffsideNo foul

[Additional Time] A match that continued far beyond the indicated additional time

2018 J1 League Matchweek 33 Shimizu S-Pulse vs Vissel Kobe

The whistle to end the match was blown after 18 minutes and 50 seconds of additional time, far beyond the four…

J1 LeagueRare incidentControversial

[Handball] A superb decision spotting an accidental handball in a crowded area

2021 J1 League Matchweek 1 Shonan Bellmare vs Sagan Tosu

Shonan Bellmare put the ball in the net in the move that followed a cross from the right. The referee, however…

J1 LeagueHandballExcellent decision

[Penalty Kick] A borderline sliding tackle inside the penalty area

2023 J1 Promotion Play-off Final Tokyo Verdy vs Shimizu S-Pulse

A Tokyo Verdy player broke into the penalty area and was stopped by a sliding tackle from a Shimizu S-Pulse pl…

J2 LeagueFoul (contact)Penalty kickClose call

[Delaying the Restart of Play] A corner kick awarded for a goalkeeper controlling the ball for more than eight seconds

2026 JFL Cup East Group Matchweek 3 Briobecca Urayasu Ichikawa vs Y.S.C.C. Yokohama

After the Urayasu goalkeeper caught the ball, the referee judged that they had controlled it for more than eig…

Delaying the restart of playRare incident

[Red Card] A sending-off for violent conduct behind the referee's back

2020 J1 League Matchweek 28 FC Tokyo vs Yokohama F. Marinos

An FC Tokyo player was shown a red card for swinging an arm into the face of a Yokohama F. Marinos opponent an…

J1 LeagueFoul (contact)Red cardRare incident

[Sending-off / Rare Incident] A sending-off for two cautions: holding and delaying the restart of play

Eredivisie Sparta Rotterdam vs Go Ahead Eagles

The same player was shown two yellow cards, one for a holding offence and one for kicking the ball away and de…

International / OverseasSPADelaying the restart of playRed card

[Handball / Penalty Kick] VAR intervention leads to a handball offence and a penalty kick when a shot is blocked

2026/27 J1 League Matchweek 1 Yokohama F. Marinos vs Kashima Antlers

A shot from a Kashima Antlers player was stopped by the Yokohama F. Marinos goalkeeper. The VAR intervened, ho…

J1 LeagueHandballPenalty kickVAR intervention

[Advantage] A difficult advantage decision near the halfway line leading to a goal on the counter-attack

2026/27 J2 League Matchweek 2 Fujieda MYFC vs Iwaki FC

Iwaki FC won the ball deep in their own half and immediately launched a quick counter-attack. An Iwaki FC play…

J2 LeagueFoul (contact)AdvantageExcellent decision

[Positioning] The referee's forward run anticipating a switch to the right and a run in behind

2026/27 J1 League Matchweek 2 Sanfrecce Hiroshima vs Urawa Reds

No particular incident occurred and play continued. Sanfrecce Hiroshima began building possession deep in thei…

J1 LeagueExcellent decision

[Positioning] The referee keeping their feet moving with small steps in preparation for a cross

2026/27 J1 League Matchweek 2 Avispa Fukuoka vs Cerezo Osaka

An attack by Avispa Fukuoka. A cross was delivered from around the corner of the penalty area on the left, and…

J1 LeagueExcellent decision

[Advantage] A well-judged advantage after a foul deep in their own half leading to a goal

2026/27 J2 League Matchweek 3 Jubilo Iwata vs Tokushima Vortis

Jubilo Iwata began building possession deep in their own half. A Jubilo Iwata player was fouled just as the ba…

J2 LeagueFoul (contact)AdvantageExcellent decision

[Positioning] The referee reading the attacking intention and stepping back to open up space

2026/27 J1 League Matchweek 3 Kashiwa Reysol vs V-Varen Nagasaki

Kashiwa Reysol attempted to break through on the right and played the ball back into the middle. After the bal…

J1 LeagueExcellent decision

[Positioning] A quick reaction as a player gets in behind, and a change of running line to avoid a blocked view

2026/27 J2 League Matchweek 3 Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo vs RB Omiya Ardija

An attack by Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo. On the left a Sapporo player got in behind their opponent, creating a…

J2 LeagueExcellent decision

[Positioning] The referee's constant steps to keep a clear view in a crowded scramble from a corner kick

2026/27 J2 League Matchweek 3 Oita Trinita vs Iwaki FC

A situation from a corner kick. An Oita Trinita player scored from a loose ball. What to look at in this scene…

J2 LeagueExcellent decision

[Handball / Penalty Kick] A rare incident in which a team-mate handled the ball after a goal kick was taken, and a penalty kick was awarded

2023 J3 League Matchweek 14 Azul Claro Numazu vs Y.S.C.C. Yokohama

Y.S.C.C. Yokohama were restarting play with a goal kick. The goalkeeper passed to a team-mate on their left, a…

J3 LeagueHandballPenalty kickRare incident

[Positioning] The referee's running, turning their head to keep track of the situation even during a fast attack

2026/27 J1 League Matchweek 4 Tokyo Verdy vs Kashima Antlers

Kashima Antlers began building possession deep in their own half. Kashima's No. 17 got in behind their opponen…

J1 LeagueExcellent decision

[Positioning] The referee's running line, using the diagonal system of control to view the challenge from either side with the assistant referee

2026/27 J2 League Matchweek 4 Albirex Niigata vs Iwaki FC

A counter-attack that began from the Albirex Niigata goalkeeper. The counter-attack was slowed for a time, but…

J2 LeagueExcellent decision

[Positioning] The referee's running on a counter-attack, and the assistant referee keeping the line with side-steps

2026/27 J1 League Matchweek 4 Kawasaki Frontale vs JEF United Chiba

Kawasaki Frontale had been pinned back, then won the ball and switched it quickly to the left to start a count…

J1 LeagueAssistant refereeExcellent decision

[Positioning] The referee's anticipation in turning their body towards the goalmouth as the cross was delivered

2026/27 J2 League Matchweek 4 Vegalta Sendai vs Tegevajaro Miyazaki

Vegalta Sendai delivered a cross from the left. The ball broke loose from a challenge in front of goal and was…

J2 LeagueExcellent decision

[Positioning] The referee turning their head and adjusting position, constantly anticipating the options open to the players

2026/27 J3 League Matchweek 4 AC Nagano Parceiro vs Thespa Gunma

AC Nagano Parceiro broke through on the right and delivered a cross, which was met well in the middle for a go…

J3 LeagueExcellent decision

[DOGSO] A red card for stopping a counter-attack, with the referee judging whether the offence was inside or outside the penalty area

2026/27 J1 League Matchweek 4 Gamba Osaka vs Sanfrecce Hiroshima

On a Sanfrecce Hiroshima counter-attack, two Hiroshima players broke forward and, as they were about to enter…

J1 LeagueDOGSOFree kickRed card

[Offside] A goal ruled out after being judged within a continuous passage of play in which two shots were blocked

2026/27 J2 League Matchweek 4 RB Omiya Ardija vs Shonan Bellmare

From a contest for the ball in midfield, RB Omiya Ardija kept possession and the referee allowed play to conti…

J2 LeagueOffsideAssistant refereeClose call

[Penalty Kick] The referee's positioning, judging a sliding tackle inside the penalty area from close range

2026/27 J2 League Matchweek 4 RB Omiya Ardija vs Shonan Bellmare

RB Omiya Ardija worked a one-two to get into the penalty area and, as the player was about to shoot, a Shonan…

J2 LeagueFoul (contact)Penalty kickClose call

[Refereeing] The referee's running, reaching the challenge faster than anyone else as possession turned over on a counter-attack

2026/27 J2 League Matchweek 4 RB Omiya Ardija vs Shonan Bellmare

RB Omiya Ardija had been pressing forward when they lost the ball, and Shonan Bellmare began a counter-attack…

J2 LeagueExcellent decision

[Handball / Penalty Kick] A corner-kick decision overturned by VAR intervention for a handball against a defending player's arm

2026/27 J1 League Matchweek 4 Nagoya Grampus vs Fagiano Okayama

In a Nagoya Grampus attack, a cross came in from the left and a header was stopped by the goalkeeper; the refe…

J1 LeagueHandballPenalty kickVAR intervention

[Advantage / Handball] The disciplinary action when the ball goes straight into the goal after striking an arm

2026/27 J1 League Matchweek 5 Sanfrecce Hiroshima vs Nagoya Grampus

In a Sanfrecce Hiroshima attack, Hiroshima's No. 11 shot from a crowded area in front of goal and scored. The…

J1 LeagueHandballAdvantageRare incident

[Running] The referee's run towards the challenge, turning their head, on a counter-attack in second-half additional time

2026/27 J1 League Matchweek 5 JEF United Chiba vs Fagiano Okayama

In second-half additional time, Fagiano Okayama launched a counter-attack and their No. 33, who had got in beh…

J1 LeagueExcellent decision

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Published refereeing decision explanations

[No Foul / VAR Intervention] An on-field review of contact between a goalkeeper and an attacking player, with no offence given | 2025 J1 League Matchweek 26 Sanfrecce Hiroshima vs Gamba Osaka

From a corner kick, the Gamba Osaka goalkeeper and a Hiroshima attacking player came into contact. The on-field decision was offside and play was stopped, but the VAR intervened and an on-field review…

[Additional Time] A match that continued far beyond the indicated additional time | 2018 J1 League Matchweek 33 Shimizu S-Pulse vs Vissel Kobe

The whistle to end the match was blown after 18 minutes and 50 seconds of additional time, far beyond the four minutes that had been indicated. Additional time ends once the indicated amount of playin…

[Handball] A superb decision spotting an accidental handball in a crowded area | 2021 J1 League Matchweek 1 Shonan Bellmare vs Sagan Tosu

Shonan Bellmare put the ball in the net in the move that followed a cross from the right. The referee, however, penalised the attacking side, Shonan, for a handball offence. Although everything happen…

[Penalty Kick] A borderline sliding tackle inside the penalty area | 2023 J1 Promotion Play-off Final Tokyo Verdy vs Shimizu S-Pulse

A Tokyo Verdy player broke into the penalty area and was stopped by a sliding tackle from a Shimizu S-Pulse player. The referee judged it to be a foul and awarded a penalty kick. Whether the slide was…

[Delaying the Restart of Play] A corner kick awarded for a goalkeeper controlling the ball for more than eight seconds | 2026 JFL Cup East Group Matchweek 3 Briobecca Urayasu Ichikawa vs Y.S.C.C. Yokohama

After the Urayasu goalkeeper caught the ball, the referee judged that they had controlled it for more than eight seconds and awarded a corner kick to the opposing team, Y.S.C.C. Yokohama. This is a de…

[Red Card] A sending-off for violent conduct behind the referee's back | 2020 J1 League Matchweek 28 FC Tokyo vs Yokohama F. Marinos

An FC Tokyo player was shown a red card for swinging an arm into the face of a Yokohama F. Marinos opponent and striking them. This incident happened behind the referee, making it very difficult for t…

[Sending-off / Rare Incident] A sending-off for two cautions: holding and delaying the restart of play | Eredivisie Sparta Rotterdam vs Go Ahead Eagles

The same player was shown two yellow cards, one for a holding offence and one for kicking the ball away and delaying the restart after play had been stopped, and was sent off. The holding offence, whi…

[Handball / Penalty Kick] VAR intervention leads to a handball offence and a penalty kick when a shot is blocked | 2026/27 J1 League Matchweek 1 Yokohama F. Marinos vs Kashima Antlers

A shot from a Kashima Antlers player was stopped by the Yokohama F. Marinos goalkeeper. The VAR intervened, however, and following an on-field review (OFR) the referee judged that there had been a han…

[Advantage] A difficult advantage decision near the halfway line leading to a goal on the counter-attack | 2026/27 J2 League Matchweek 2 Fujieda MYFC vs Iwaki FC

Iwaki FC won the ball deep in their own half and immediately launched a quick counter-attack. An Iwaki FC player was fouled near the halfway line, but the referee did not stop play and applied advanta…

[Positioning] The referee's forward run anticipating a switch to the right and a run in behind | 2026/27 J1 League Matchweek 2 Sanfrecce Hiroshima vs Urawa Reds

No particular incident occurred and play continued. Sanfrecce Hiroshima began building possession deep in their own half and moved up the pitch as they passed the ball, and near the halfway line the b…

[Positioning] The referee keeping their feet moving with small steps in preparation for a cross | 2026/27 J1 League Matchweek 2 Avispa Fukuoka vs Cerezo Osaka

An attack by Avispa Fukuoka. A cross was delivered from around the corner of the penalty area on the left, and the ball played back from it produced a goal. What to look at in this scene is the refere…

[Advantage] A well-judged advantage after a foul deep in their own half leading to a goal | 2026/27 J2 League Matchweek 3 Jubilo Iwata vs Tokushima Vortis

Jubilo Iwata began building possession deep in their own half. A Jubilo Iwata player was fouled just as the ball came out of their own penalty area, but the referee did not stop play and applied advan…

[Positioning] The referee reading the attacking intention and stepping back to open up space | 2026/27 J1 League Matchweek 3 Kashiwa Reysol vs V-Varen Nagasaki

Kashiwa Reysol attempted to break through on the right and played the ball back into the middle. After the ball was received centrally, Kashiwa broke through the middle and scored. What to look at in…

[Positioning] A quick reaction as a player gets in behind, and a change of running line to avoid a blocked view | 2026/27 J2 League Matchweek 3 Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo vs RB Omiya Ardija

An attack by Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo. On the left a Sapporo player got in behind their opponent, creating a chance to break through down that side. The player carried the ball forward and the move…

[Positioning] The referee's constant steps to keep a clear view in a crowded scramble from a corner kick | 2026/27 J2 League Matchweek 3 Oita Trinita vs Iwaki FC

A situation from a corner kick. An Oita Trinita player scored from a loose ball. What to look at in this scene is the referee's movement. As this was a loose ball from a corner kick, there were many p…

[Handball / Penalty Kick] A rare incident in which a team-mate handled the ball after a goal kick was taken, and a penalty kick was awarded | 2023 J3 League Matchweek 14 Azul Claro Numazu vs Y.S.C.C. Yokohama

Y.S.C.C. Yokohama were restarting play with a goal kick. The goalkeeper passed to a team-mate on their left, and that defending player handled the ball inside the penalty area. The referee judged this…

[Positioning] The referee's running, turning their head to keep track of the situation even during a fast attack | 2026/27 J1 League Matchweek 4 Tokyo Verdy vs Kashima Antlers

Kashima Antlers began building possession deep in their own half. Kashima's No. 17 got in behind their opponent on the left, the attack gathered speed and the fast break led to a goal. What to look at…

[Positioning] The referee's running line, using the diagonal system of control to view the challenge from either side with the assistant referee | 2026/27 J2 League Matchweek 4 Albirex Niigata vs Iwaki FC

A counter-attack that began from the Albirex Niigata goalkeeper. The counter-attack was slowed for a time, but Niigata went on to finish the move with a goal. What to look at in this scene is where th…

[Positioning] The referee's running on a counter-attack, and the assistant referee keeping the line with side-steps | 2026/27 J1 League Matchweek 4 Kawasaki Frontale vs JEF United Chiba

Kawasaki Frontale had been pinned back, then won the ball and switched it quickly to the left to start a counter-attack. A goal was scored from that counter-attack. There are two things to look at in…

[Positioning] The referee's anticipation in turning their body towards the goalmouth as the cross was delivered | 2026/27 J2 League Matchweek 4 Vegalta Sendai vs Tegevajaro Miyazaki

Vegalta Sendai delivered a cross from the left. The ball broke loose from a challenge in front of goal and was turned in for a goal. What to look at in this scene is the direction the referee's body f…

[Positioning] The referee turning their head and adjusting position, constantly anticipating the options open to the players | 2026/27 J3 League Matchweek 4 AC Nagano Parceiro vs Thespa Gunma

AC Nagano Parceiro broke through on the right and delivered a cross, which was met well in the middle for a goal. What to look at in this scene is the referee's movement. The first thing the referee p…

[DOGSO] A red card for stopping a counter-attack, with the referee judging whether the offence was inside or outside the penalty area | 2026/27 J1 League Matchweek 4 Gamba Osaka vs Sanfrecce Hiroshima

On a Sanfrecce Hiroshima counter-attack, two Hiroshima players broke forward and, as they were about to enter the penalty area, one of them was brought down by a Gamba Osaka player recovering from beh…

[Offside] A goal ruled out after being judged within a continuous passage of play in which two shots were blocked | 2026/27 J2 League Matchweek 4 RB Omiya Ardija vs Shonan Bellmare

From a contest for the ball in midfield, RB Omiya Ardija kept possession and the referee allowed play to continue, judging that there had been no offence. A player then cut inside from the left and sh…

[Penalty Kick] The referee's positioning, judging a sliding tackle inside the penalty area from close range | 2026/27 J2 League Matchweek 4 RB Omiya Ardija vs Shonan Bellmare

RB Omiya Ardija worked a one-two to get into the penalty area and, as the player was about to shoot, a Shonan Bellmare player came in with a sliding tackle. The referee judged this to be a foul and a…

[Refereeing] The referee's running, reaching the challenge faster than anyone else as possession turned over on a counter-attack | 2026/27 J2 League Matchweek 4 RB Omiya Ardija vs Shonan Bellmare

RB Omiya Ardija had been pressing forward when they lost the ball, and Shonan Bellmare began a counter-attack. Shonan created a chance from the counter-attack, but it did not produce a goal. Look at t…

[Handball / Penalty Kick] A corner-kick decision overturned by VAR intervention for a handball against a defending player's arm | 2026/27 J1 League Matchweek 4 Nagoya Grampus vs Fagiano Okayama

In a Nagoya Grampus attack, a cross came in from the left and a header was stopped by the goalkeeper; the referee initially awarded a corner kick. The VAR intervened, however, and following an on-fiel…

[Advantage / Handball] The disciplinary action when the ball goes straight into the goal after striking an arm | 2026/27 J1 League Matchweek 5 Sanfrecce Hiroshima vs Nagoya Grampus

In a Sanfrecce Hiroshima attack, Hiroshima's No. 11 shot from a crowded area in front of goal and scored. The shot struck the arm of a Nagoya Grampus player who had come in to defend and went straight…

[Running] The referee's run towards the challenge, turning their head, on a counter-attack in second-half additional time | 2026/27 J1 League Matchweek 5 JEF United Chiba vs Fagiano Okayama

In second-half additional time, Fagiano Okayama launched a counter-attack and their No. 33, who had got in behind, finished calmly one-on-one with the goalkeeper to score. Look at the referee's runnin…

What you can learn with Judge DB

How denying an obvious goal-scoring opportunity (DOGSO) is assessed and applied
When the video assistant referee (VAR) intervenes and when an on-field review (OFR) is used
The criteria for awarding a penalty kick and the distinction between careless, reckless and excessive force
How advantage is applied and how it affects disciplinary sanctions
The offences that result in red and yellow cards and the reasons behind those decisions

Search Scenes

Find the decision you want to review.

[No Foul / VAR Intervention] An on-field review of contact between a goalkeeper and an attacking player, with no offence given

[Additional Time] A match that continued far beyond the indicated additional time

[Handball] A superb decision spotting an accidental handball in a crowded area

[Penalty Kick] A borderline sliding tackle inside the penalty area

[Delaying the Restart of Play] A corner kick awarded for a goalkeeper controlling the ball for more than eight seconds

[Red Card] A sending-off for violent conduct behind the referee's back

[Sending-off / Rare Incident] A sending-off for two cautions: holding and delaying the restart of play

[Handball / Penalty Kick] VAR intervention leads to a handball offence and a penalty kick when a shot is blocked

[Advantage] A difficult advantage decision near the halfway line leading to a goal on the counter-attack

[Positioning] The referee's forward run anticipating a switch to the right and a run in behind

[Positioning] The referee keeping their feet moving with small steps in preparation for a cross

[Advantage] A well-judged advantage after a foul deep in their own half leading to a goal

[Positioning] The referee reading the attacking intention and stepping back to open up space

[Positioning] A quick reaction as a player gets in behind, and a change of running line to avoid a blocked view

[Positioning] The referee's constant steps to keep a clear view in a crowded scramble from a corner kick

[Handball / Penalty Kick] A rare incident in which a team-mate handled the ball after a goal kick was taken, and a penalty kick was awarded

[Positioning] The referee's running, turning their head to keep track of the situation even during a fast attack

[Positioning] The referee's running line, using the diagonal system of control to view the challenge from either side with the assistant referee

[Positioning] The referee's running on a counter-attack, and the assistant referee keeping the line with side-steps

[Positioning] The referee's anticipation in turning their body towards the goalmouth as the cross was delivered

[Positioning] The referee turning their head and adjusting position, constantly anticipating the options open to the players

[DOGSO] A red card for stopping a counter-attack, with the referee judging whether the offence was inside or outside the penalty area

[Offside] A goal ruled out after being judged within a continuous passage of play in which two shots were blocked

[Penalty Kick] The referee's positioning, judging a sliding tackle inside the penalty area from close range

[Refereeing] The referee's running, reaching the challenge faster than anyone else as possession turned over on a counter-attack

[Handball / Penalty Kick] A corner-kick decision overturned by VAR intervention for a handball against a defending player's arm

[Advantage / Handball] The disciplinary action when the ball goes straight into the goal after striking an arm

[Running] The referee's run towards the challenge, turning their head, on a counter-attack in second-half additional time

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