Yellow Card In Soccer (Official Rules)

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The rules for a yellow card in soccer are very much debated and can be a matter of opinion. Let’s look at the rules to see what they say.

Before we examine the official FIFA rules about yellow cards in soccer, let’s look at some common questions people have. This is Important!

Soccer Referee Getting a Yellow Card From Their Pocket

What is a yellow card in soccer?

A yellow card is given as a caution when a player is reckless, careless, misconduct, or uses excessive force.

This applies to players, substitutes, or substituted players.

What Do You Get For A Yellow Card?

A yellow card can result in a suspension, sending off, a fine, and disciplinary action.

The number of yellow cards and the offense will determine the action, and it’s different for each competition.

How many yellow cards can you get in soccer?

In soccer, you can only get two yellow cards in one game. If you get two yellow cards for reckless or unsporting behavior, it results in a red card, and the player is sent off the field.

Normally, when a player gets the first yellow card, they will not slide into tackles and be more cautious to prevent being sent off.

Some officials will give you the warning to tell you that you’re one bad tackle away from another yellow card.

Andorra La Vella Andorra 2021 March 25 Yellow card for MArc Reves AND in the Qatar 2022 World Cup Qualifying match. ○ Soccer Blade

How long does a yellow card last in soccer?

A yellow card remains with the player for the rest of the game. The caution will also be added to the player’s record, which can amount to a suspension.

Different competitions have different policies for suspensions. They also include a set time when the yellow cards are wiped off the player’s record.

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The record of yellow cards per season is removed from a player halfway through the season in the EPL. Yellow cards are also reset in the European Champions League knockout stages.

In the EPL, if a player gets 5 yellow cards in 19 games, the player will be suspended for one game.

SOC: El Clasico Joven Club America vs. Cruz Azul

What Happens if you get Two Yellow Cards?

If two cards are given to a player during a match, it will result in a red card. While the game is stopped, the player will be told to leave the field.

The game cannot continue until the player is away from the referee’s sight. The player will return to the dressing room in a professional game.

In a non-professional league that doesn’t have a stadium, the player needs to be a respectful distance away from the action so they are not a distraction to the officials or players.

What are the offenses for a yellow card in the MLS?

If an MLS player gets 5 yellow cards or more, they are suspended and fined.

The MLS has its own rules for players who are given yellow cards. The official fines and suspensions for players are as below;

Fines and suspensions for MLS players for yellow cards

  • 5 yellow cards suspension for 1 MLS game and fined $250.
  • 8 yellow cards suspension for 1 MLS game and fined $500.
  • 11 yellow cards suspension for 1 MLS game and fined $750.
  • 13 yellow cards suspension for 1 MLS game and fined $1000.
  • Additional to the above, plus 2 more yellow cards the player will be suspended and the fine will be doubled – eg. $2000, $4000, and $8000.
Soccer referee writing on a yellow card

English FA yellow card rules

The English FA has a list of rules for yellow cards and fines for grassroots players in the game of soccer to promote discipline.

There are similar rules around the world for players below the professional leagues. It’s a great way to keep soccer from being a bad example.

Charge Code Offense Fine Automatic  
Suspension
Penalty 
Points
C1 Unsporting Behaviour – further defined as: AA Adopting an aggressive attitude DI Simulation DP Dangerous Play FT Foul Tackle GC Goal Celebration HB Handball RP Reckless Play SP Pushing or Pulling an opponent TR Tripping UB Unspecified Behaviour£10 N/A 1
C2 Dissent £10 N/A 2
C2 (sin bin) Dissent (sin bin) N/A N/A 2
C3 Persistently infringing the Laws of the Game £10 N/A 1
C4 Delays the restart of play £10 N/A 1
C5 Fails to respect the required distance at a restart £10 N/A 1
C6 Enters or re-enters the field of play without the referee’s permission £10 N/A 1
C7 Deliberately leaves the field of play without the referee’s permission £10 N/A 1
S1 Serious Foul Play £55 3 matches 5
S2 Violent Conduct – further defined as: Head to Head Elbowing Kicking Stamping Striking Biting Other Unspecified Behaviour£55 3 matches 6
S3 Spitting £55 6 matches 7
S4 Denies the opposing team a goal or an obvious goal-scoring opportunity by deliberately handling the ball £35 1 match 3
S5 Denies an obvious goal-scoring opportunity to an opponent moving towards the player’s goal by an offence  punishable by a free kick or a penalty kick£35 1 match 3
S6 Use of offensive, insulting or abusive language £45 2 matches 4
S7 Receives a second yellow card in the same match £35 1 match 3
English FA Yellow Cards – Offense, Fine, Suspension, and Penalty Points

What do refs write on yellow cards?

The ref writes the player’s number and team on the back of the card. This is a record of the offense so that the ref knows later in the game if the player gets another yellow.

The offense is also written on the card so the official can write the match report at the end of the game.

The match report is sent to the league regulators to register the offenses.

There have been occasions in the past where the ref has forgotten who was booked – the opposition is quick to remind the ref of this.

Soccer referee writing on a yellow card

Yellow Cards in Soccer: The Official FIFA Rules

In this article, I have researched the rules from the officials at FIFA so that there is no debate, although some rules are at the referee’s discretion.

See also  What is Handball in Soccer? (Rules + Situations)

To keep it simple, all examples here are about yellow cards. There are several other rules regarding non-caution offenses and more for red cards.

type of fouls for a yellow card

The definition from FIFA about the types of fouls;

Carless – means that the player has shown a lack of attention or consideration when making his challenge or that he/she acted without precaution: no further disciplinary sanction is needed if a foul is judged to be careless.

FIFA Law 12

Reckless – means that the player has acted with complete disregard of the danger to, or consequences for, his opponent: a player who plays in a reckless manner shall be cautioned.

FIFA Law 12

Using excessive force – means that the player has far exceeded the necessary use of force and is in danger of injuring an on opponent: a player who uses excessive force shall be sent off

FIFA Law 12

For the following examples, we will need to use these three definitions – ‘carless’ ‘reckless’ and ‘using excessive force’. A yellow card is for;

LONDON, ENGLAND FEBRUARY 26, 2020 Thiago Alcantara of Bayern and Ross Barkley of Chelsea pictured during the 2019.20 UEFA Champions League Round of 16 game Chelsea FC vs. Bayern Munich at Stamford Bridge
LONDON, ENGLAND FEBRUARY 26, 2020 Thiago Alcantara of Bayern and Ross Barkley of Chelsea pictured during the 2019.20 UEFA Champions League Round of 16 game Chelsea FC vs. Bayern Munich at Stamford Bridge

List of Offenses/fouls a player can make for a yellow card

  • Charging an opponent – caution if reckless.
  • Holding an opponent – When the ball is in play and the holding continues.
  • Handling the Ball – When a player handles the ball to break up attacking play. If an attacker uses their hand to attempt to score a goal.
  • Dangerous play – If a player makes an action that can risk an injury to another player.
  • Impeding the progress of an opponent – If a player holds another player back or blocks a player on purpose, that prevents an attack.
  • Breaking up an attack, where there is the possibility of creating a scoring chance.
  • Simulation, where a player tries to con a referee into thinking that they are injured in order to punish the opponent. If a player tries to make out that they have been fouled. #
Handball in Soccer - Area of the arm
Handball in Soccer – Area of the arm

Seven Yellow Card Offenses for a Player: Misconduct

1. Reckless play or foul

If you play recklessly or commit a reckless foul, it’s a yellow card in soccer. This could be a high foot – without trying to hurt someone – or a sliding tackle from behind deliberately.

Referees will judge what reckless play or foul is. And it’s up to them to issue a yellow card.

2. Delaying the restart of play

Delaying the restart of play is a yellow card. That means you’re deliberately stopping the play from restarting.

It’s a yellow card if you kick the ball away. Or if you delay taking a free kick to waste time.

Also, a goalie can get a yellow card if they delay taking a goal kick. And if they hold onto the ball for too long in their 18-yard box to waste time, that can be a yellow card.

Referees can give a yellow card for any offense that delays play.

Here are the ways that players try to delay a restart in play;

  • Deliberately taking a free kick from the wrong position
  • Pretending to take a throw-in, only to leave it for another player
  • Kicking or carrying the ball away when the referee has signaled to stop
  • Excessively delaying taking a throw-in or set-piece
  • Provoking an opponent by touching the ball to distract them
  • Obstructing a set piece from being taken by standing in the way of the ball and not retreating

If a player tries to block the keeper when kicking it out of their hands, they receive a yellow card.

Soccer Fouls 2
Soccer Fouls 2

3. Dissent – language or behavior

In soccer, you can get a yellow card for dissent. This means going against the referee.

Protesting verbally or physically against the decision of a referee.

Dissenting language can be disrespectfully protesting the referee. Or it could be insulting the referee.

Dissenting behavior could be kicking/throwing the ball away because you don’t like a referee’s decision.

These offenses are yellow cards.

If a player tries to stop a goal from being scored – this can also result in a yellow card if the play is allowed to be continued by the referee and a goal is scored.

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The referee can caution the player when the game is next stopped.

4. Not keeping distance from a free-kick, corner, or throw-in

If you don’t keep your distance from a free-kick, corner, or throw-in, it’s a yellow card. The referee might warn you to move back if you’re too close.

But if you ignore him and don’t move away, it’ll be a yellow card.

Soccer referee holding a ball and showing a yellow card

5. Exiting or entering the field of play without permission

In soccer, you shouldn’t leave the field or enter it during a game without the referee’s permission.

You might have to leave the field to get treatment for an injury or change a ripped jersey, for example. But you need to get permission.

Also, once you leave the field, you can’t come back on until the referee says it’s OK.

It’s a yellow card if you exit or enter the field of play without the referee’s permission.

That’s important to know because you don’t want a yellow card for a stupid reason.

6. Persistent minor offenses

Committing persistent minor offenses will get you a yellow card in soccer. You might commit a foul that doesn’t deserve a yellow card. But if you keep doing it, you’ll finally get one.

Say you commit 3 minor fouls in a short time. The referee will likely give you a warning. And then, if you foul again, they’ll give you a yellow card.

So, keep in mind that the minor fouls add up. The referee will be watching.

If a player commits several fouls throughout the game, regardless if they are the same.

A player will be warned by the referee when they have committed several fouls before being given a yellow card.

The discretion for this is for the referee to decide if a player commits several fouls within 15 minutes.

BARCELONA OCTOBER 29 Referee giving yellow card to Raul de Tomas at the Copa del Rey match between Cornella and Real Madrid final score 1 4 on October 29 2014 in Cornella Barcelona Spain.
BARCELONA OCTOBER 29 Referee gave a yellow card to Raul de Tomas at the Copa del Rey match between Cornella and Real Madrid final score 1 4 on October 29 2014 in Cornella Barcelona Spain.

7. Unsporting behavior

In soccer, unsporting behavior is a yellow card offense. Unsporting behavior can be diving to win a penalty or removing your jersey during a celebration.

Both will get you a yellow card in soccer.

But those aren’t the only things that’ll get you a yellow card for unsporting behavior.

When a player removes a jersey;

  • A player removing a jersey when celebrating a goal
  • The jersey is pulled over the player’s head
  • A plyer covers their head with a jersey or mask

For clarification, it is not a yellow card when a player lifts up their jersey just on their front – this could be done in a celebration of wiping their face.

Check out this video for another example:

Kei Kamara Gets a Yellow Card for TWERKING!!

That’s right! Beware of those dance moves when you’re celebrating.

Yellow Offenses for a substitute or Substituted Player

  1. Unsporting behavior
  2. Dissent by word or action
  3. Delaying play

Other Offences for a Yellow Card

  • If a player changes positions with a goalkeeper during the game without notifying the referee.
  • A player kicks the ball when leaving the field, as an example a substitute or medication.
  • Verbally distracting a player during play or a set-piece.
  • Showing a lack of respect for the game, opponent, and referee.
  • Marking the field of play, where there should be none officially.

How long is a player suspended after two yellow cards?

A player shown two yellow cards during a match will be sent off during that game. The player will not be able to play in the next match. Further suspensions can be given if the player has accumulated several cards.

Does a yellow card expire?

For league matches, yellow cards will be reset halfway through the season. Cup competitions each have different rules.

What happens if a soccer player gets two yellow cards?

A player shown two yellow cards during a match will be sent off during that game. The player will not be able to play in the next match. Further suspensions can be given if the player has accumulated several cards.

Soccer Analyst and Publisher at Soccer Blade | Soccer Blade | + posts

Joel is a seasoned soccer journalist and analyst with many years of experience in the field. Joel specializes in game analysis, player profiles, transfer news, and has a keen eye for the tactical nuances of the game. He played at various levels in the game and coached teams - he is happy to share his insight with you.

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Soccer Rules FAQ

How long is a soccer game?

Soccer games include two 45 minute halves, which is 90 minutes of play. Those who have ever watched a game know that, like many sports, real-time is longer than the match time.
In real-time, the length of a soccer game varies immensely. At the bare minimum, it will be 90 minutes of play + 15 minutes of halftime for a total of 105 minutes.

What is offside in soccer?

The offside rule in soccer is to stop player ‘goal hanging’ – standing near the opposition goal. This also stops soccer from being a long ball game, balls hit from one goal to another.

What are yellow card offenses?

+ Charging an opponent – caution if reckless.
+ Holding an opponent – When the ball is in play and the holding continues.
+ Handling the Ball – When a player handles the ball to break up attacking play. If an attacker + uses their hand to attempt to score a goal.
+ Dangerous play – If a player makes an action that can risk an injury to another player.
+ Impeding the progress of an opponent – If a player holds another player back or blocks a player on purpose, that prevents an attack.
+ Breaking up an attack - where there is the possibility of creating a scoring chance.
+ Simulation - where a player tries to con a referee into thinking that they are injured in order to punish the opponent. If a player tries to make out that they have been fouled.

What are the red card offenses?

+ Serious foul play
+ Violent conduct
+ Spitting at a person
+ Deliberate handball – denying a goal-scoring opportunity
+ Denying an obvious goal-scoring opportunity
+ Offensive, aggressive, abusive language or gesture
+ Receiving a second caution

Soccer field size, size of goal, number of players and minutes played per age;

+ u17-u19 - Halves 2 x 45 minutes - Number of players 11 vs 11 - Goal Size 8 x 24 - Field size 50-100 by 100-130 yards
+ u15-u16 - Halves 2 x 40 minutes - Number of players 11 vs 11 - Goal Size 8 x 24 - Field size 50- 100 by 100-130 yards
+ u13-u14 - Halves 2 x 35 minutes - Number of players 11 vs 11 - Goal Size 8 x 24 - Field size 50-10 by 100-130 yards
+ u11-u12 - Halves 2 x 30 minutes - Number of players 9 vs 9 - Goal Size 7 x 21 - Field size 45-70 by 70-80 yards
+ u9-u10 - Halves 2 x 25 minutes - Number of players 7 vs 7 - Goal Size 6 x 18.5 - Field size 35-45 by 55-65 yards
+ u6-u8 - Quarters 4 x 10 minutes - Number of players 4 vs 4 - 4 x 6 Goal Size - Field size 15-25 by 25-35 yards


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