What is the difference between the caution and sending off procedures

It must have sown the seeds that later flowered into the invention of red and yellow cards which first came into use in the FIFA World Cup. In this article, we are going to take a look at each of the disciplinary procedures; why they are administered, and what they mean, starting with the Yellow Card.

In essence, a yellow card is given as a caution or warning. It provides players receiving them another chance to stay on the field for the remainder of the game, whereas a red card means that the player has to leave the pitch with immediate effect.

Two yellow cards shown to the same player within the same game results in a red card being given and the player having to leave the field play at once. There are basically six different types of offence that can result in a yellow card being shown to a player. They are:. The current rules this season stipulate that any player accumulating a certain number of yellow cards will face disciplinary action in the form of match bans. It works on the following principles:.

As we have already stated, a red card means instant dismissal. When it comes to the length of any suspension period, it is dependent on the nature and seriousness of the foul, as follows:. The above types of fouls, and the length of the bans that go with them, are only given in terms of guidance.

Each foul must be reviewed on its own merits and circumstances, and the suspension award decided upon can be longer or shorter. But that is not all. If there is serious misconduct on the touchline, and the guilty party instigating the fracas cannot be identified, it is the senior coach within the technical area who will be on the receiving end of the card. What is clear from the figures shown above is the huge difference between the numbers of yellow cards awarded as opposed to red.

The number of reds issued is reasonably consistent, but in the last three seasons, there does seem to be a definite and worrying increase, season on season. As far as players on the international screen are concerned, the player with the most yellow cards to date is Sergio Ramos of Real Madrid and Spain with a total of Unfortunately for him. When we look at the players with the most red cards issued over the past 20 years, Ramos tops the table again, with 23 cards.

If the referee stops play for an offence committed by a player, inside or outside the field of play, against an outside agent, play is restarted with a dropped ball, unless a free kick is awarded for leaving the field of play without the referee's permission.

If an offence is committed outside the field of play by a player against a player, substitute, substituted player or team official of their own team, play is restarted with an indirect free kick on the boundary line closest to where the offence occurred. If a player makes contact with the ball with an object boot, shinguard etc. If a player who is on or off the field of play throws or kicks an object other than the match ball at an opposing player, or throws or kicks an object including a ball at an opposing substitute, substituted or sent-off player, team official, or a match official or the match ball, play is restarted with a direct free kick from the position where the object struck or would have struck the person or the ball.

If a substitute, substituted or sent-off player, player temporarily off the field of play or team official throws or kicks an object onto the field of play and it interferes with play, an opponent or match official, play is restarted with a direct free kick or penalty kick where the object interfered with play or struck or would have struck the opponent, match official or the ball.

News Go back News. George's Park Go back St. Go back Shop. Tickets Official Shop Wembley St. Whole Game Enables clubs and referees to administer their day to day activities. My Account Log out. Law 12 Fouls and Misconduct. Direct free kick A direct free kick is awarded if a player commits any of the following offences against an opponent in a manner considered by the referee to be careless, reckless or using excessive force: charges jumps at kicks or attempts to kick pushes strikes or attempts to strike including head-butt tackles or challenges trips or attempts to trip If an offence involves contact it is penalised by a direct free kick or penalty kick.

Careless is when a player shows a lack of attention or consideration when making a challenge or acts without precaution. No disciplinary sanction is needed Reckless is when a player acts with disregard to the danger to, or consequences for, an opponent and must be cautioned Using excessive force is when a player exceeds the necessary use of force and endangers the safety of an opponent and must be sent off A direct free kick is awarded if a player commits any of the following offences: a handball offence except for the goalkeeper within their penalty area holds an opponent impedes an opponent with contact bites or spits at someone on the team lists or a match official throws an object at the ball, opponent or match official, or makes contact with the ball with a held object See also offences in Law 3 HANDLING THE BALL For the purposes of determining handball offences, the upper boundary of the arm is in line with the bottom of the armpit.

Disciplinary action The referee has the authority to take disciplinary action from entering the field of play for the pre-match inspection until leaving the field of play after the match ends including kicks from the penalty mark. Players, substitutes and substituted players Delaying the restart of play to show a card Once the referee has decided to caution or send off a player, play must not be restarted until the sanction has been administered, unless the non-offending team takes a quick free kick, has a clear goal-scoring opportunity and the referee has not started the disciplinary sanction procedure.

Leaving the field of play to celebrate a goal is not a cautionable offence but players should return as soon as possible. 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 offending player is cautioned if the offence was an attempt to play the ball; in all other circumstances e.

Tickets Official Shop Wembley St. Whole Game Enables clubs and referees to administer their day to day activities. My Account Log out. Law 5 The Referee. The authority of the referee Each match is controlled by a referee who has full authority to enforce the Laws of the Game in connection with the match.

Decisions of the referee Decisions will be made to the best of the referee's ability according to the Laws of the Game and the 'spirit of the game' and will be based on the opinion of the referee who has the discretion to take appropriate action within the framework of the Laws of the Game.

If, before entering the field of play at the start of the match, a player commits a sending-off offence, the referee has the authority to prevent the player taking part in the match see Law 3. A medical team official who commits a sending-off offence may remain if the team has no other medical person available, and act if a player needs medical attention acts on the advice of other match officials regarding incidents that the referee has not seen INJURIES allows play to continue until the ball is out of play if a player is only slightly injured stops play if a player is seriously injured and ensures that the player is removed from the field of play.

An injured player may not be treated on the field of play and may only re-enter after play has restarted; if the ball is in play, re-entry must be from the touchline but if the ball is out of play, it may be from any boundary line. Exceptions to the requirement to leave the field of play are only when: a goalkeeper is injured a goalkeeper and an outfield player have collided and need attention players from the same team have collided and need attention a severe injury has occurred a player is injured as the result of a physical offence for which the opponent is cautioned or sent off e.

EPTS or other fitness monitoring equipment Referees and other 'on-field' match officials are prohibited from wearing jewellery or electronic equipment, including cameras. Referee signals Refer to graphics for approved referee signals.