BBC Sport Academy | Football | Rules

Seeing the ref getting his cards out of his pocket is a common thing during any game of football.

So, what does a player do to get that early bath?

The only time Gary Lineker was ever booked in his football career was by a traffic warden!

Not once did he see yellow or red. It's an amazing record for the BBC presenter and England goalscoring legend.

Perhaps you can emulate him if you know the things that will make a referee reach for his book and his coloured cards.

There are seven different offences that can get you a yellow card:

Anything that can be deemed as unsporting behaviour

Dissent by word or action

Persistent infringement of the laws, for example a series of fouls

Delaying the restart of play

Not retreating the full ten yards at a free-kick or corner

Entering or re-entering the pitch without the referee's permission

Deliberately leaving the pitch without the referee's permission

The yellow card is shown by the ref
Don't go messing with the referee

And so what makes a referee see red?

You will be sent off for receiving two yellow cards or an instant red.

There are six offences you can be shown a straight red card for:

Serious foul play

Violent conduct such as throwing a punch

Spitting at an opponent or another person

A player other than the goalkeeper denies an obvious goalscoring opportunity by handling the ball

A goalkeeper would be similarly punished if they intentionally handle the ball outside their goal area


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