Yellow and red card rules
A yellow card is a caution; a red card sends a player off for the rest of the game, and the team plays a player short. Here's what gets each one under the Laws of the Game, and how friends' games usually handle it.
By Squadcard. Last updated .
In short
- A yellow card is a caution for things like dissent, time-wasting, reckless fouls and stopping a promising attack.
- A red card sends a player off: serious foul play, violent conduct, spitting, abusive language, or denying an obvious goal-scoring chance.
- Two yellow cards in the same match make a red.
- A sent-off player can't be replaced, so the team plays one short.
What gets a yellow card
- Delaying the restart of play.
- Dissent by word or action.
- Entering, re-entering or deliberately leaving the pitch without the referee's permission.
- Not standing the required distance at a free kick, corner or throw-in.
- Persistent offences.
- Unsporting behaviour: diving, a reckless foul, stopping a promising attack with a foul or a handball, and similar.
What gets a red card
- Denying a goal or an obvious goal-scoring opportunity with a deliberate handball (unless it's the goalkeeper in their own area).
- Denying an obvious goal-scoring opportunity with a foul, in some cases, depending on where and how.
- Serious foul play, and violent conduct.
- Biting or spitting at someone.
- Offensive, insulting or abusive language or gestures.
- A second yellow card in the same match.
Two newer ones to know
A goalkeeper who holds the ball in their hands for more than eight seconds gives away a corner kick, not an indirect free kick, under the current Laws. And denying a goal-scoring chance in the penalty area while genuinely trying to play the ball is a penalty and a yellow card rather than a red. For what each foul gives, see direct and indirect free kicks; for this season's changes, the new football rules for 2026/27.
Cards in friends' games
Most 5-a-side and casual games have no referee and no cards: the group's own rules and a bit of shame keep order. Leagues that use referees often add a sin bin, a few minutes off the pitch for a caution. Walking football uses a blue card for that. See the walking football rules and our 5-a-side rules.
A lighter way to keep a weekly game honest: a football fines list, and a vote after every game, where everyone rates everyone else. Squadcard runs the vote and shows only the totals.
Questions
How many yellow cards make a red?
Two in the same match. The second yellow is followed by a red card and the player is sent off.
What happens when a player gets a red card?
They leave the pitch for the rest of the match and can't be replaced, so their team plays a player short.
Is a yellow card for a foul?
Only for some fouls: reckless ones, or ones that stop a promising attack. A careless foul is just a free kick.
What is the 8-second rule for goalkeepers?
A goalkeeper who holds the ball in their hands for more than eight seconds gives away a corner kick to the other team.