What Are Red and Yellow Cards in Football?

Red and yellow cards are familiar sights in football, and they are used by referees as a way to communicate that a player (or team official) has been disciplined. Yellow cards will be shown to players to indicate a caution, while a red card signifies that a player has been expelled from the game. The usage of red and yellow cards dates back to the 1970s and has undergone several changes over the years, with the introduction of new rules and regulations. In this article, we will explore the history of red and yellow cards, the criteria used to issue them, and the consequences of receiving them.

How Red and Yellow Cards Are Issued?

Both red and yellow cards can be issued from any moment after the referee enters the field of play, until the moment they leave the pitch at the end of the game. Cards can be issued to any player, substitute, or team official during this window.

What Is a Yellow Card?

A yellow card is used to communicate that a cautionable offence has been committed. It is a warning from the referee that allows the player to remain on the pitch, however, if a player receives a second yellow card, they will be sent off and will need to leave the pitch. If two cautionable offences are committed in very close proximity to each other, two separate cautions should still be issued at once.

A Player on the Pitch Can Be Issued a Yellow Card for the Following Offenses:

• Delaying the restart of play
  • by appearing to take a throw-in but suddenly leaving it to a team-mate to take.
  • by delaying leaving the field of play when being substituted.
  • by excessively delaying a restart.
  • by kicking or carrying the ball away, or provoking a confrontation by deliberately touching the ball after the referee has stopped play.
  • by taking a free kick from the wrong position to force a retake.
• Dissent by word or action.
• Entering, re-entering or deliberately leaving the pitch of play without the referee's permission.
• Failing to respect the required distance when play is restarted with a dropped ball, corner kick, free kick or throw-in.
• Persistent offences. This will be determined by the referee, and there is no official definition of 'persistent'.
• Unsporting behaviour:
  • Committing a direct free-kick offence in a reckless manner.
  • Attempting to deceive the referee, e.g. by feigning injury or pretending to have been fouled (simulation).
  • Changing places with the goalkeeper during play or without the referee's permission.
  • Handling the ball to interfere with or stop a promising attack.
  • Committing any other offence which interferes with or stops a promising attack, except where the referee awards a penalty kick for an offence that was an attempt to play the ball.
  • Denying an opponent an obvious goal-scoring opportunity by an offence which was an attempt to play the ball and the referee awards a penalty kick.
  • Handling the ball in an attempt to score a goal (whether or not the attempt is successful) or in an unsuccessful attempt to prevent a goal.
  • Making unauthorized marks on the field of play.
  • Playing the ball when leaving the field of play after being given permission to leave.
  • Showing a lack of respect for the game.
  • Initiating a deliberate trick for the ball to be passed (including from a free kick or goal kick) to the goalkeeper with the head, chest, knee etc. to circumvent the Law, whether or not the goalkeeper touches the ball with the hands; the goalkeeper is cautioned if responsible for initiating the deliberate trick.
  • Verbally distracting an opponent during play or at a restart.
• Entering the referee review area (RRA).
• 'Excessively' using the 'review' (TV screen) signal.
• 'Excessively' celebrating a goal
  • By climbing onto a perimeter fence and/or approaching the spectators in a manner which causes safety and/or security issues.
  • By acting in a provocative, derisory or inflammatory way.
  • By covering the head or face with a mask or other similar item.
  • By removing the shirt or covering the head with the shirt.

Consequences of Receiving Yellow Cards

Receiving a yellow card may result in a financial fine from the overseeing association. Accumulating multiple yellow cards through a season will result in suspensions. The rules and the lengths of the suspensions will vary between competitions. The suspensions will only apply in the competitions in which they occurred.

What Is a Red Card?

A red card is used to communicate that a sending-off offence has been committed. Any player, substitute, or team official that has been sent off must leave the field of play (including the technical area) immediately. Any player that receives two yellow cards in a single game will then receive a red card, and be dismissed from the game.

A Red Card Can Be Issued for the Following Offenses:

• Denying the opposing team a goal or an obvious goal-scoring opportunity by a handball offence (except a goalkeeper within their penalty area).
• Denying a goal or an obvious goal-scoring opportunity to an opponent whose overall movement is towards the offender's goal by an offence punishable by a free kick.
• Serious foul play. This can be defined as a tackle that uses excessive force or a challenge that endangers the safety of an opponent.
• Biting or spitting at someone.
• Violent conduct. This can be defined as an attempt to use excessive force against an opponent, a teammate, team official, match official or spectator, when NOT challenging for the ball.
• Using offensive, insulting or abusive language and/or action(s).
• Receiving a second caution in the same match.
• Entering the video operation room (VOR).

It is important to note that the seriousness of an offence is often subjective and will come down to the discretion of the referee on the day.

Consequences of Receiving a Red Card

Receiving a red card will result in immediate expulsion from the game. The player (or team official) must leave the field of play and is not permitted to return for the remainder of the game. In addition, receiving a red card may also result in a financial fine from the overseeing association. Depending on the offence, there may also be additional sanctions, which will vary between competitions. The table below shows the suspensions that are awarded by the English Football Association for various red card offences. Any suspensions will only apply to the competition in which they occurred. If a player receives more than one red card during a season, an additional one-game suspension will be applied on top of the default suspension for every red card incurred.

What Happens if a Player Given a Red Card Refuses to Leave the Pitch?

The referee cannot force a player to leave the pitch after a red card. In this rare scenario, the referee will inform the player that they must leave the pitch, and if they still refuse, the referee will speak to the team's captain and staff to inform them of their responsibility to help convince the player to leave the pitch.

If the player still refuses to leave, then the referee has the power to abandon the game. The individual competition rules will determine the outcome of the game in this scenario, but it is most likely to result in a loss for the team that received the red card.

History of Red and Yellow Cards

The use of red and yellow cards was first introduced in the 1970 World Cup, mainly due to an incident that occurred in the previous World Cup in 1966. During the quarter-final between England and Argentina, the referee awarded cautions to Jack and Bobby Charlton of England, and also sent off Antonio Rattin of Argentina. However, the referee had not made these decisions very clear, and after the game, England manager Alf Ramsey had to question a FIFA representative for clarification. As a result of this, Ken Aston, who was a member of the referees' committee, invented the concept of red and yellow cards in order to make disciplinary actions clear to everyone playing and watching the game. He based the concept on the colours of traffic lights.

Red and Yellow Card Statistics

Premier League

Premier League disciplinary stats since 1992. All stats correct at moment of writing (2023).

Most Yellow Cards in a Season

101 - Leeds United

Most Red Cards in a Season

9 - Sunderland, Queens Park Rangers

Most Yellow Cards in One Match

12 - Chelsea v Leeds (1998), Wolves v Newcastle (2010), Tottenham v Chelsea (2016)

Most Yellow Cards for a Single Team in One Game

9 - Tottenham v Chelsea (2016)

MLS

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