Yellow Cards, Red Cards, Expulsions, and Suspensions in Football
Learn how yellow cards, expulsions, and suspensions work in football: main rules, consequences, and common scenarios explained clearly.
What Are Cautions and Expulsions
In football, the referee can use cards to sanction improper behavior or significant infractions.
The two main disciplinary measures are:
- yellow card, which represents a caution;
- red card, which results in expulsion.
When Is a Yellow Card Shown
The yellow card is used to caution a player.
It can be shown, for example, in cases of:
- repeated fouls;
- excessive protests;
- unsporting behavior;
- delay in restarting play;
- failure to respect the required distance;
- irregular interruption of an opponent's action.
What Happens After a Yellow Card
A caution does not force the player to leave the field.
The player can continue participating in the match but must be especially careful because a second caution can lead to expulsion.
What Happens with Two Yellow Cards
If a player receives a second caution in the same match, they are expelled.
The referee usually shows the second yellow card followed by the red card.
The player must leave the field, and their team continues with one less player.
When Is a Direct Red Card Shown
A player can also be expelled directly without having received a prior caution.
Situations leading to a direct red card include:
- serious foul play;
- violent conduct;
- grossly offensive behavior;
- irregularly preventing a clear goal-scoring opportunity in certain circumstances;
- other serious infractions established by the rules.
What Happens After an Expulsion
The expelled player must leave the field and cannot be replaced.
The team therefore continues the match with one fewer player.
If a team suffers multiple expulsions, the number of players available on the field can decrease further.
Can a Team Play with Fewer Than 11 Players?
Yes. An expulsion reduces the number of players on the field.
A team can continue the match with fewer players.
However, there is a minimum number of players required for a match to continue according to the Laws of the Game.
What Is a Suspension
A suspension is a disciplinary sanction preventing a player from participating in one or more subsequent matches.
It can result from:
- an expulsion;
- accumulation of cautions;
- disciplinary measures after the match;
- other violations provided by the regulations.
How Long Does a Suspension Last
The duration depends on the type of infraction and the competition's regulations.
Sometimes it may be a single match suspension, while more serious incidents can lead to longer sanctions.
How Does Accumulation of Cautions Work
In many competitions, cautions received over multiple matches are counted.
When a player reaches a certain threshold, a match suspension can be triggered automatically.
The threshold varies depending on the competition and its rules.
Are Cautions Always Reset?
No. It depends on the tournament.
Some competitions reset cautions at specific moments during the season, while others use different systems.
Therefore, one must always refer to the specific regulations.
What Is the Difference Between a Direct Red and a Double Yellow
In both cases, the player is expelled and must leave the field.
The difference concerns the disciplinary reason:
- with a double yellow, expulsion results from two cautions;
- with a direct red, the referee believes the infraction deserves immediate expulsion.
Subsequent disciplinary consequences can also differ.
Can VAR Intervene on a Red Card?
VAR can intervene in situations involving possible direct expulsions, according to the established protocol.
It can assist the referee in reviewing serious incidents that were not properly judged on the field.
Normally it is not used to review a simple second caution.
Can a Player on the Bench Be Cautioned or Expelled?
Yes. Substitute players, substituted players, and others present in the technical area can receive disciplinary measures.
The consequences depend on the type of behavior and competition rules.
Can a Coach Be Expelled?
Yes. Coaches and other technical staff members can be sanctioned for inappropriate behavior.
In case of expulsion, they must leave the technical area as provided by the regulations.
Why Are Cards and Suspensions Important
Disciplinary sanctions can strongly impact a match and a team's season.
An expulsion can immediately change the balance of a game, while a suspension can prevent an important player from participating in the next match.
How to Follow Cards and Events on Football17
On Football17 you can follow the main match events, including goals, cards, substitutions, and other real-time updates.
The match page allows quick consultation of the event timeline and match status.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Does a Yellow Card Mean?
It is an official caution given by the referee.
What Happens with Two Yellow Cards?
The player is expelled and must leave the field.
Does a Direct Red Always Lead to a Suspension?
It normally leads to further disciplinary consequences, but duration and conditions depend on the competition's regulations.
Do Cautions Accumulate?
In many competitions, yes. Reaching certain thresholds can trigger a suspension.
Can VAR Review an Expulsion?
Yes, in cases of possible direct red cards as established by the VAR protocol.
Can an Expelled Player Be Replaced?
No. The team must continue the match with one fewer player.