There is no denying that a red card to Kaizer Chiefs defender Given Msimango changed the complexion of the game against Mamelodi Sundowns, who eventually won 5-1. KickOff, using IFAB's Law 12, looks at whether the decision was correct.
Amakhosi had a bright start, taking the game to the Brazilians. However, on 19 minutes, Msimango was red-carded for a foul on Lucas Ribeiro Costa, who was going through on goal.
READ | Mailula's agent: What Toronto loan decision means
Although Cavin Johnson's charges held on to head to half-time goalless, they were punished in the critical phase of the second stanza, after two quick goals within the first 11 minutes by Tashreeq Matthews and Matias Esquivel took the game away from Chiefs.
By the time Matthews added the third goal and got his brace in the last eight minutes, Amakhosi were already dead and buried, and late goals by Costa and Thembinkosi Lorch only served to add salt to the wound.
Questions arose on whether the former TS Galaxy captain deserved a red card or whether his challenge fell under DOGSO (Denying a goal or an obvious goal-scoring opportunity).
This website looks at Law 12, under fouls and misconduct, where for a player to be sent off for DOGSO, four points must be considered.
But firstly, 'denying a goal or an obvious goal-scoring opportunity to an opponent whose overall movement is towards the offender's goal, punishable by a free-kick' is regarded as a sending-off offence.
According to Law 12, DOGSO is applied as follows: "Where a player commits an offence against an opponent within their own penalty area which denies an opponent an obvious goal-scoring opportunity and the referee awards a penalty kick, the offender is cautioned if the offence was an attempt to play the ball or challenge for the ball; in all other circumstances (e.g holding, pulling, pushing, no possibility to play the ball etc), the offending player must be sent off."
READ: PSL striker's stunning R500k secret to match-winning heroics?
'When a player denies the opposing team a goal or an obvious goal-scoring opportunity…the following must be considered', as per Law 12:
• Distance between the offence and the goal
• General direction of the play
• Likelihood of keeping or gaining control of the ball
• Location and number of defenders
