Cards are how referees communicate discipline. A yellow card is a caution; a red card is a sending-off. The difference is easy to understand once you know the reasons behind each one.
Yellow card offences
- Unsporting behaviour, such as a reckless tackle or a tactical foul to stop an attack
- Dissent by word or action towards the referee
- Persistently committing fouls
- Delaying the restart of play
- Failing to retreat the required distance at a free kick or corner
- Entering or leaving the pitch without permission
Red card offences
- Serious foul play
- Violent conduct
- Spitting at anyone
- Denying a clear goal-scoring opportunity by handball or a foul
- Offensive, insulting or abusive language or gestures
- Receiving a second caution in the same match
What happens with two yellow cards in soccer?
A second yellow card in the same match is shown together with a red, so the player is sent off. It counts as a red card for the match, though the suspension rules can differ from a straight red.
What happens after a red card
The player leaves the pitch and cannot be replaced, so the team plays one player short. A suspension usually follows, with length depending on the competition and the offence.
Yellow card accumulation
Many leagues suspend players after a set number of bookings across a season, which is why managers sometimes rotate players who are one yellow away from a ban.
Frequently asked questions
Can a player get a card on the bench?
Yes. Substitutes and coaching staff can be cautioned or sent off.
Does VAR review yellow cards?
No. See how VAR works for the full list.
