DOGSO Now Counts Attackers, Not Just Defenders
One word was added to the list of things a referee weighs before calling an obvious goal-scoring opportunity: the number of attackers, alongside the number of defenders.
Distance, direction, likelihood of control, and the location and number of defenders.
The same four, with the last reading location and number of defenders and attackers.
What changed
Law 12's considerations for whether an obvious goal-scoring opportunity existed used to read distance to goal, general direction of play, likelihood of keeping or gaining control of the ball, and location and number of defenders. The last one now reads location and number of defenders and attackers.
Why it matters
The old list only counted what stood in the way. It gave a referee no printed way to say that a supporting runner made the chance obvious, which is exactly the argument fans have about every three-on-two. Counting attackers can make a chance obvious that the defenders alone would not, so it can turn a caution into a sending-off, and it is the only one of the four considerations that can point that way.
Scenarios
Two attackers, one covering defender
An attacker is hauled down 30 yards out with a covering defender close by, but a team-mate is running free alongside him with an open pass available.
A lone attacker with no support
An attacker is fouled with two defenders recovering and no team-mate anywhere near.