Soccer Yellow Card Offences

A player being cautioned with a yellow card (photo © Jon Candy, flickr.com)

Referees use two types of cards during a game of soccer: yellow cards and red cards. When a referee shows a player a yellow card, he is signaling that the player has been cautioned (a warning). Red card offences are more serious and signal a sending-off (the player is expelled from the game).

What is a Yellow Card Offence in Soccer?

According to the official FIFA Laws of the Game, there are seven yellow card offences in soccer. If a player commits any of the following offences, the referee will show him or her a yellow card:

• unsporting behaviour (including “simulation” -- diving)
• dissent by word or action (too much arguing with the referee)
• persistent infringement of the Laws of the Game (the player keeps on fouling)
• delaying the restart of play
• failure to respect the required distance when play is restarted with a corner kick, free kick or throw-in
• entering or re-entering the field of play without the referee’s permission
• deliberately leaving the field of play without the referee’s permission

In professional games, taking off a jersey after scoring a goal is also seen as unsporting behaviour -- therefore, it is a yellow card offence (see FIFA's Goal Celebration rules for more info).

Substitutes and previously substituted players can also be shown a yellow card, even though they are off the field of play. Substitutes can be cautioned for three offences:

• unsporting behaviour
• dissent by word or action
• delaying the restart of play

Referees and Yellow Card Offences

In reality, not all referees will show a yellow card every time one of the above offences is committed. If they did, most soccer games would finish with only a few players left on the field. The rules are also open to some interpretation -- and referees can never spot every potential yellow card offence.

Referees must be consistent, but they must also use their own judgment. A referee’s job is to keep the game under control -- and to keep the players on the field.

Yellow Cards Rules in Youth Soccer

Referees in youth soccer games may be more tolerant when it comes to some of the seven yellow card offences (but some of them may be tough, so don’t test them!). For example, if you wander off the field of play without permission -- perhaps to grab a quick drink -- the referee may call you back without showing you a yellow card.

Remember, however, that you’ll need to know all the rules inside and out if you want to play professional soccer. So develop good habits today for a successful soccer future.

As always, if you have any questions about soccer yellow card offences, leave a comment below. Thanks!