Yellow and red cards in football
Football uses two disciplinary cards: yellow (caution) and red (sending off). They were introduced by English referee Ken Aston at the 1970 World Cup to overcome the language barrier.
When a yellow card is shown
- Unsporting behaviour: clear tactical foul, simulation, stopping a promising attack with a foul.
- Dissent by word or gesture towards the referee.
- Persistent infringement of the rules.
- Delaying the restart of play.
- Wrong distance at free kicks or corners.
- Entering, leaving or re-entering the field without permission.
- Removing the shirt when celebrating a goal.
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Ver App GratisWhen a red card is shown
| Reason | Result |
|---|---|
| Serious foul play | Straight red |
| Violent conduct | Straight red |
| Spitting at someone | Straight red |
| Denying a goal or clear chance with a handball | Straight red |
| Denying a goal or clear chance with a foul (DOGSO) | Straight red |
| Offensive, insulting or abusive language/gestures | Straight red |
| Receiving a second yellow card | Red by accumulation |
When a player gets a red card, their team plays a man down and cannot be replaced.
Sanctions by accumulation
In most competitions:
- 5 yellows in a league campaign → 1-match ban.
- 2 yellows in the same match → immediate red + at least the next match suspended.
- Straight red → 1 to 4 matches' suspension, depending on severity.
At the 2026 World Cup
- Yellow cards reset after the quarter-finals (so no one misses the semi-final because of a prior booking).
- A straight red always means at least one match's suspension.
FAQ
Are there orange or blue cards in football? Not officially. Only yellow and red in association football.
Can a referee withdraw a card? If it was a clear error and before play has restarted, yes (VAR can assist if it was a red).
Can a substitute or coach be booked? Yes, they can be cautioned or sent off from the bench/technical area.
Is there a "white card"? The English FA trialled a "white card" for fair play, but it isn't a universal rule.
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