Yellow Card & Cautions
A yellow card is shown for unsporting behaviour, persistent infringement, dissent, delaying restarts, and several other offences. Two yellows in the same match equals a red.
The full rule
The yellow card is a formal caution. Cautionable offences include: unsporting behaviour such as simulation or tactical fouls, dissent by word or action, persistent infringement of the laws, delaying the restart of play, failing to respect the required distance at corners or free kicks, entering or leaving the field without permission, and deliberately handling the ball. A second yellow card in the same match results in a red card and the player is sent off. Yellow cards carry over in tournaments and can lead to suspension.
Key points
- ✓Two yellows in the same match = red card and dismissal
- ✓Simulation, tactical fouls, and dissent are all cautionable
- ✓Delaying restarts — including time-wasting — is a yellow card offence
- ✓Failing to respect the 10-yard distance at free kicks is cautionable
- ✓Yellow cards can accumulate across matches in tournaments
Scenarios
Deliberate tactical foul to stop a counter-attack
A midfielder deliberately trips an opponent to stop a dangerous counter-attack. There is no goalscoring opportunity.
Player protests a decision aggressively
A player runs up to the referee and repeatedly shouts at them after a decision they disagree with.
Goalkeeper wastes time with the ball in hand
The goalkeeper holds the ball for over 10 seconds without releasing it, clearly wasting time.