Red cards in soccer change the way a match goes. that extra player makes a big difference. this can make for an interesting game as one team tries to take down the opponent while defending and trying to counterattack.
It can feel like the game is over for some teams, so it’s important to know the red card rules. here are some things we will cover in this article;
- what is a red card
- when red cards are given
- examples of red cards
- the first red card
- 1 game penalty – two yellow cards
- 1 game ban – minimal red card offense
- 2+ game ban: serious horseplay
- deliberate handball
- any offense that could result in a free kick
- serious foul play
- violent conduct
- spitting on a person
- deliberate hand: denying a scoring opportunity
- deny an obvious goalscoring opportunity
- offensive, aggressive or abusive language or gestures
- receiving a second warning
The red card rule is one of the most important to you and your team, so let’s examine what they mean.
when do you get a red card in football?
A red card is given when a player uses “excessive force”. this can be an aggressive tackle that endangers an opponent or misconduct, as outlined in the rules below.
In this article, I’ll walk you through the areas where a player can get a red so we can avoid it as players and instruct other players to do the same. knowing the official rules will help us play better: we will know how we can approach the safe side of the law.
being strong in the game is an important factor to compete. it’s a physical game, so it’s best to know right from wrong.
frequently asked questions about football red cards
new rules for red cards 2022
previously, if a player fouled an opponent in the penalty area and stopped a scoring opportunity, the attacking team would receive a penalty, and the player would receive a red card . .
now this has changed: only if a foul in the penalty area is considered a red card in the rest of the field, the player will be sent off. so there is no ‘double punishment’ for committing fouls in the box. a penalty is enough.
red card rules for mls + epl
The rules of football are international, so the same reasons a red card is given in the mls are the same in the english premier league. the only difference from the rules is the punishment for the red card.
all football leagues in the world must follow the official ifab/fifa rules – a world cup would be crazy if we didn’t! leagues can give their rules on disciplinary actions: suspensions and fines.
The rules for suspending a player after receiving a red card are;
The number of games a player is penalized depends on the severity of the infraction. the player will automatically receive a one game suspension and the committee will decide if the player deserves more game suspensions in the following days.
It also takes into account how many other suspensions a player has had in the season. multiple red and yellow cards could lead to more suspensions.
May 23, 2012. The Galaxy are left with 10 men after a red card was given during the Major League Soccer game between the San Jose Earthquakes and the Los Angeles Galaxy at the Home Depot Center
official red card soccer rules
There are many opinions about when to show a red card in football, but the best place to get the rules is from the legislators: the international football federation, or fifa as it is commonly known.
These three stages are a summary of what a player should receive for his offense;
1. sloppy soccer game
carless: means the player has shown a lack of care or consideration in making his challenge or acted without caution: no further disciplinary action is needed if a foul is judged to be careless.
2. reckless soccer game
reckless: means that the player has acted without taking into account the danger or consequences for his opponent: a player who plays recklessly will be cautioned.
3. use excessive force in the game of soccer
use excessive force: means that the player has far exceeded the necessary use of force and is in danger of injuring an opponent: a player who uses excessive force will be sent off
Later, we’ll look at the seven reasons for a red card. First, let’s look at these laws in detail.
7 rules for red cards in football
Above are the official rules for red cards, but what does that mean in real games? let’s break it up to make it more
1. use of excessive force – serious foul play
A player will receive a red car for using more force than necessary. for example, tackling a player whom the player intends to injure.
If a player commits a violent foul with “intent to harm” it is a red card.
for example, a player comes in to tackle someone, but the ball is far from the tackle; this can be seen as intentional because there was no chance of the player winning the ball.
the referee must rule if the player intended to injure or if he simply missed the block time (it could be that the player is a bad tackler, although being clumsy cannot be an excuse if someone is hurt).
This is just one example where a player can be sent off, but there are many more.
2. charging
if a player dives or slides towards a player with his leg raised aggressively, the cleats point towards the opponent. it can be one leg or two, coming from the front, the back or the sides. this is classified as “serious horseplay”.
suppose a player commits an offense while the ball is still in play. the referee can let play continue to allow an advantage and give a red when the ball is out of play.
If a player loses control of where their leg is going because they can’t stop, it’s a lunge.
3. violent behavior
excessive and brutal force when challenging a player, spectator or other person. this can be when a player hits or kicks someone.
It can be on or off the pitch. applies to players on the field of play and on the bench. the referee will only allow play to continue if there is a scoring opportunity.
4. thrown object or ball
If a player aggressively throws an object onto the pitch or bench, they will be shown a red card.
5. deny a goal or an opportunity to score
If a scoring opportunity is denied, it can be inside or outside the penalty area. the referee allows play to continue as an advantage, and if a goal is scored, only a yellow card is shown.
The two offenses for this to happen are;
The closer to the goal the infringement occurs, the more likely it is that you will receive a red card. even if the ball would have entered the goal had it not been for the hand.
along with other factors such as defenders’ positions and direction of play.
6. offensive, insulting or abusive language
Any player found guilty of the above should be sent off. this can be towards any person, player, official or spectator.
7. two yellow cards
If a player receives two yellow cards in a match, the referee will show the player the second yellow card and then the red card. the player must then leave the field and can no longer participate.
7 reasons for a red card + examples
here is a detailed look at the seven reasons for a red card in football with examples;
1. serious faults
A serious foul can seriously harm a player. These offenses are often committed with excessive force. are considered “dangerous games” in soccer.
for example, if you tackle with the studs up and connect with a player’s leg. this type of tackle can break someone’s leg. Take a look at this video to get an idea of serious faults:
2. violence
Violent behavior will get you a red card in soccer. the referee will send you off if you hit or attack someone on the soccer field.
There is no place for violent behavior in football. it is very dangerous, especially if a group of players is involved. but any kind of violence will get you kicked, even against your team.
and of course against the other team. Zinedine Zidane had an infamous incident of violent conduct at the 2006 world cup final. and got sent off. see it below:
3. deliberate handball to stop a goal
If you deliberately handle the ball to stop a goal, you will receive a red card in soccer. There are generally two scenarios where this can happen. the first is when a player passes the ball to a teammate for an easy goal.
Imagine the ball in the air approaching the attacking player for an easy touch. but then the defending player stops the ball with her hand. it will be a red card because she stopped a goal (or a clear scoring chance).
The second occurs when the ball goes into the goal. and it will be a goal. but a player deliberately touches the ball to stop the goal.
luis suarez’s deliberate handball in the 2010 world cup quarterfinals is a high-profile example. take a look:
4. deliberate foul to stop a scoring opportunity
You will get a red card in soccer if you deliberately commit a foul when someone has a good chance to score a goal. a player could be running towards the goalkeeper with a good scoring opportunity. You will receive a red card if you commit a deliberate foul against that player, such as a push or trip.
Previously, any foul that stopped a scoring opportunity could be a red card. but now, it is only a red card if the referee judges that the foul was deliberate.
Thus, any deliberate foul to stop a scoring opportunity will be an automatic red card.
5. offensive and abusive behavior
is a red card in football for offensive and abusive behavior. this can be offensive and abusive language towards other players, officials or fans.
and it can be for offensive and abusive gestures. if you do this, you will get a red card in soccer.
6. spit on someone
Spitting on someone is a red card in football. It goes without saying that there is no place in football for spitting.
If you spit on someone, the referee will not hesitate to give you a red card.
7. receiving a second yellow card
in soccer, receiving 2 yellow cards is equivalent to a red card. therefore, if you receive two yellow cards, you will be sent off the field.
history of red cards in football
The red and yellow cards entered the game of football after the 1962 World Cup violence. The first foul in the match was after 12 seconds, and Kaplan International reports that the referee had returned to England and was driving home
/p>
“while I was driving, the traffic light turned red and I thought: ‘yellow, calm down and red, stop, get out.’”
After this incident in the world cup, it was another 8 years before the red and yellow cards were introduced. Cards were used for the first time in the 1970 World Cup in Mexico.
sharing is caring 🙂